A man from Union Mills has been fined £450 for possessing cocaine and obstructing a drug search.

Darren James O’Hare, of Close y Llergy, was found guilty after a summary court trial after he had denied both offences.

He appeared before magistrates for sentencing last week.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that police were called to Ridgeway Street in Douglas on May 31 at about 1.10pm after a report of a man acting suspiciously at Joe Jennings bookmakers.

Officers found O’Hare walking towards Strand Street.

An officer took hold of his arm, telling him that he was being detained for a drug search.

The 28-year-old tried to escape, pulling away and starting to run towards Regent Street but was restrained by police who grabbed him by his T-shirt.

He had £80 worth of class A drug cocaine in his possession and was subsequently arrested.

Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw told the court: ’The obstruct is that he was stopped for a drug search and made the split second decision to try to make a run for it.

’There is no suggestion of any violence, he simply slipped his grip and shimmied round a pole.

’The police officer maintained a grip on his T-shirt.

’There was no long-lasting pre-planned attempt to evade the police.’

Mr Wilshaw added: ’He tells me he purchased the cocaine as a one-off to, in his own words, have a party over the TT period.

’He said he was going through a bad year but no longer uses any drugs.’

The court heard that O’Hare currently has a fine of £645 outstanding which he is paying at a rate of £10 per week. He was ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs.