An offender who assaulted a police officer has been handed a suspended sentence.

Christopher McEvoy, of James Street, Douglas, struck the policeman, causing a cut to his lip while he was being arrested on May 30.

The 55-year-old was found guilty after a trial of assault with intent to resist arrest after he had denied the offence.

McEvoy had previously pleaded guilty to resisting arrest committed on the same date and two counts of property damage committed on July 13.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith sentenced him to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months for the assault and resisting arrest offences and fined him a total of £100 for the two property damage offences.

He also ordered McEvoy to pay £200 compensation to the officer and £100 for the cleaning of two police cells which he had smeared with blood.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how McEvoy had banged his head against two cell walls causing blood to smear on the walls.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood asked the court to follow the recommendation of a probation report for a suspended sentence.

Mr Wood said that at the time of the trial his client had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

’Clearly he suffers from certain difficulties,’ said the advocate. ’Some are of his own making, others are not. He pleaded guilty to the resisting arrest charge at an early stage. He disputed deliberately striking the officer in the mouth area.’

Mr Wood went on to say that McEvoy would likely lose his accommodation if he was jailed and that he was engaging with Motiv8 and a doctor.

He continued: ’There are indications he is moving in the right direction. To be honest, if he doesn’t, he’s not long left in this world, that is abundant from the social enquiry report.’

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith told McEvoy that he was sentencing him on the basis it was a single strike at the officer and that alcohol was clearly at the root of his offending.

Mr Arrowsmith also ordered McEvoy to pay £200 prosecution costs.