A man who bit a female police officer and told her that he had Aids has been jailed.

Christopher McEvoy, aged 55, of James Street, Douglas, was sentenced to 20 weeks in custody by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes and was also banned from licensed premises for a year.

He admitted offences of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, and being found drunk in a public place.

The incident was said to have occurred in James Street on February 2.

McEvoy said that he could not recall telling the officer that he had Aids but accepted the prosecution case.

The resisting arrest offence was said to relate to McEvoy grabbing hold of railings and resisting having handcuffs put on him.

Alcohol

He was said to have been intoxicated at the time, despite an alcohol ban being imposed in January and has numerous previous convictions for offences involving alcohol.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that his client had been visiting the prison gym while on remand and had completed forms to join the NSC gym.

’Hopefully when released he will see an improvement in his health,’ said the advocate.

’He is also going to lose his flat if he continues with this behaviour.

’He has had it for 12 years and is fortunate the corporation are going to give him a chance to pay the arrears.’

On the day of the incident McEvoy was said to have phoned ’999’ as a ’cry for help’.

But the court heard that when police and the crisis referral team arrived he declined any help.

He was then arrested for his own safety when he was later seen wandering around outside.

As he was arrested, he bit the police officer on the hand.

’He can only ask that the court shows him some mercy,’ said Mr Taylor.

Custody

The court heard that McEvoy has been in custody since February 12.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told him while passing sentence: ’You’re 55.

’A lifetime of drinking is going to take its toll if you don’t curb your drinking.

’There seems little anyone else can do to assist you until you are ready to receive assistance yourself.

’You declined the assistance of police and a mental health nurse after you made several ’999’ calls.

’An alcohol ban was imposed on January 17 yet despite the ban you managed to obtain alcohol and were intoxicated again on February 2.’

The court heard that McEvoy had unpaid fines.

Mrs Hughes added two weeks to his sentence in default of those unless they were paid forthwith.