A teenager has been given a suspended sentence after admitting an assault at a party and stealing a car.

Kyle Richard Howarth also had a previous probation order revoked and replaced with the suspended sentence.

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks sentenced the 18-year-old to 38 weeks in custody in total, suspended for two years and also made him the subject of a two-year suspended sentence supervision order.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court how, on January 2 last year, Howarth, who lives at Barrule Drive, Onchan, was in a group of four males who arrived at a party at Mona Drive in Douglas.

They were said to have attacked another male, hitting and kicking him repeatedly, then stamping on his head before leaving.

The victim’s phone fell onto the floor during the attack and one of the males took it.

In court, Howarth pleaded guilty to common assault.

On April 4 at 1am, police were called to an accident in Onchan and found a Ford Ka crashed in the middle of the road heading towards Baldrine.

Howarth was staggering nearby and complained of pain in his back.

He was taken to hospital and while in the ambulance said: ’I was driving. I robbed it. The keys were in the ignition.’

The court heard that Howarth was already subject to a probation order, imposed for offences in August 2020 of assaulting a police officer and possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that his client had been making positive progress with probation and that it had been some time since Howarth had committed an offence now.

’There are a number of signs in the probation report that show he is now maturing,’ said the advocate.

’He has obtained employment in a public house. He has engaged with the drug and alcohol team for an extensive period.

’He is vulnerable if he doesn’t continue to receive assistance.’

Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks told Howarth: ’You have an awful set of previous convictions for somebody of your age.’

Mr Brooks sentenced Howarth to 14 weeks in custody for the common assault and six weeks for taking a vehicle without consent, to run consecutively.

He also revoked the previous probation order and replaced it with four weeks custody for possessing a bladed article, and 14 weeks for assaulting a police officer, also to run consecutively, but all suspended for two years.

Howarth’s driving licence was also endorsed with eight points and he must pay £125 prosecution costs.