A teenager has admitted biting two police officers during two separate assaults which resulted in him being Pava sprayed.

Benjamin Norman Harry Ford, of Grenaby Road, was said to be ’off his head on drugs’ during one of the incidents.

The 17-year-old admitted two counts of assaulting a police officer, one of obstrucing a drug search, and one of resisting arrest.

He will be sentenced on January 21 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court how police were called to a disturbance at Y Vaarney Yiarg in Castletown on November 15 at 10.45pm.

Ford was detained for a drug search and was said to be agitated, slurring his words, and foaming slightly at the mouth.

As police put handcuffs on him he tensed his arms, kicked out and struggled.

During the struggle Ford bit one officer on the bicep and eventually had to be Pava sprayed in order to restrain him.

While Ford was on bail for that incident police were called to Scarlett Close in Castletown on November 30 at 11.15pm after a witness reported a male ’off his head on drugs’.

Police located Ford and he was said to have pulled away from them struggling violently as they tried to restrain him.

The teenager kicked out his legs and police were forced to call for back-up.

Ford then bit one officer on the inside of the thigh and was subsequently Pava sprayed again and put in leg restraints.

Both bites were said to have only caused minor injury and not broken the skin.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood asked for a probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

Mr Wood said that his client had no previous convictions.

’What is going wrong?’ said Mr Wood.

’Unfortunately, the answer is the use of illicit substances. Mr Ford had been going through a crisis and in my submission it has resulted in this offending. Diazepam coupled with alcohol, and a social circle of individuals he shouldn’t be associating with has resulted in him, I think the best phrase is, "getting off his face".’

Mr Wood went on to say that Ford was engaging with the drug and alcohol team and was ’recognising the seriousness of the position’.

The advocate continued: ’There is a support package in place that will kick in if granted bail. He is going to lose his job if he remains in custody beyond this week.’

Magistrates granted bail in the sum of £500 with a curfew in place between 8.30pm and 7am, a condition that Ford attend drug and alcohol team appointments, not purchase or consume alcohol in public, or enter licensed premises, and liaise with probation.