A husband and wife have been handed a suspended sentence after assaulting another couple at a taxi rank.

Padraig Eoin O’Sullivan, aged 35, was sentenced to three months custody, suspended for two years, while Jenna O’Sullivan, aged 41, was sentenced to two months custody, suspended for two years.

The couple, both of Spring Valley Road, Douglas, were ordered to pay £500 each in compensation to the victims, as well £20 each to the taxi driver.

Magistrates also fined Padraig O’Sullivan £300 and his wife £200.

We previously reported that the two complainants in the case - a man and a woman - got into a taxi in Victoria Street in Douglas on July 5.

However, the man then got out again to go to a nearby cash machine after finding the cab did not have a card machine. While he was at the machine the O’Sullivans tried to get into the taxi only to be told it was taken.

Padraig O’Sullivan then told the man, who had returned: ’No it’s not, we’re taking it, we’ll drag you out of it.’

Jenna O’Sullivan was then said to have struck the woman and both O’Sullivans were said to have started swinging punches at the other couple for more than a minute.

The taxi was unable to drive away as the door was being held open. Police arrived while the fracas was still going on and the O’Sullivans were manhandled out of the taxi.

The couple pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault each, while Padraig O’Sullivan also pleaded guilty to obstructing police.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode, who represented Padraig O’Sullivan, entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client in which O’Sullivan admitted becoming involved in an altercation, claiming that he was trying to defend himself, but admitted throwing punches at the man and one punch at the woman.

scuffle

The advocate said: ’His version is, words were exchanged, and there was an initial scuffle during which he would say he was trying to defend himself.

’There was no premeditation. It was a spontaneous situation where one thing led to another and there was an escalation.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that, if his client were sent to jail, the family would have no income, as Mrs O’Sullivan was signed off work at the moment, and that Mr O’Sullivan would also be unable to visit his mother who was in care.

The advocate also asked the court to consider the article eight human rights of the couple’s children.

Paul Glover represented Jenna O’Sullivan and echoed much of what Mr Kermode had said. Mr Glover handed in letters of reference for his client which described her as a ’brilliant mother’.

’The reason behind the offences is alcohol consumption,’ said Mr Glover. ’If it wasn’t for alcohol Mrs O’Sullivan wouldn’t have committed the offences.

Magistrates also banned the couple from purchasing or being sold alcohol for two years and ordered them to pay £125 prosecution costs each.