A motorcyclist who rode while he was disqualified has been put on probation for a year.

Paul James Galbraith had to be restrained using Pava spray after struggling with police during his arrest in Braddan.

Magistrates sentenced the 25-year-old to 12 months probation and banned him from driving for 18 months after he admitted driving while disqualified and having no insurance.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that police saw Galbraith riding a Yamaha motorbike on May 27 at Fort North roundabout.

Officers recognised him and knew he was disqualified so they followed him onto Cooil Road.

They stopped alongside him at the traffic lights and then took him by the arm.

However, Galbraith tried to accelerate, revving the engine causing police to force him to dismount and put him on the ground.

He then started swearing at them, kicking out and flailing his arms.

Officers used Pava spray to control him and then put him in leg restraints.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that a charge of resisting arrest had been withdrawn so all the comments regarding that aspect should be disregarded by magistrates.

’Mr Galbraith was given a 12-month ban ending in January 2022,’ said the advocate.

’He was a third of the way into the ban when this occurred so it was not immediately.

’He has always worked with motor vehicles repairing them. He was doing that on this occasion but made the erroneous decision to go for a drive.’

Mr Rodgers went on to say that his client had mental health issues and suffered from anxiety.

The court heard that Galbraith, who lives in Cushag Road, Anagh Coar, is currently on licence after an early release from a prison sentence.

Mr Rodgers said: ’The court has the power to return him to prison but we would ask the court to treat him with leniency. There is no evidence of a low standard of driving and it was a short distance that was driven.’

Magistrates decided to take no action regarding the licence.

But magistrates chair Michael Murley warned Galbraith: ’We seriously considered sending you to custody. If there is another offence it is almost certain you will be returned to custody.’

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £10 per week.