A Douglas plumber has been jailed for 12 weeks after pleading guilty to obstructing police and resisting arrest charges.

Darren Noel Dooley, of Oak Avenue, admitted he tried to stop police entering a house in Ramsey and eventually had to be arrested using incapacitant spray.

The court heard how, on January 20, police were called to Auldyn Walk in Ramsey after a report of a woman being assaulted.

When officers arrived at the address and tried to enter Dooley was said to have blocked their path into the house.

He was warned to stand down and police were able to get entry to speak to the woman.

However, when another police officer arrived Dooley was again said to have blocked her path into the house, pushing her back and saying: ’You’re not welcome here. You’re not coming in without a warrant.’

The officer was pushed against a door and tried to restrain Dooley but he refused to listen.

Eventually Pava spray was used on Dooley and he was arrested.

During a police interview he said that he could not remember the incident that well but said he thought police needed a warrant to enter the premises.

Defending Dooley in court his advocate Ian Kermode said: ’Police had attended to arrest my client’s girlfriend and another woman at the property. Mr Dooley assumed that they had to have a warrant in order to enter.

’He didn’t know anything about the alleged offences and was perhaps over-protective of his girlfriend.

’He accepts he blocked the path into the lounge and therefore obstructed three officers. He understands police did have the power to enter. When another woman officer arrived they were in a confined space with three officers already in the hallway.

’At that point he pushed her out of the front door and when she tried to enter again he grabbed her arms.’

The court heard that Dooley had been involved in a similar offence eight years’ ago and a common assault last year.

’One issue that is relevant is that he has not had any anger management counselling but an appointment is in the pipeline,’ Mr Kermode said.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ’You said you were not intoxicated but then said you had no recollection of the incident.

’You might wish to take time to reflect on the need to address your anger management and make sure that you do.’