The probation service has come under fire for recommending a suspended sentence for a woman with mental health issues who admitted resisting police officers.

The Isle of Man Examiner has decided not to name the woman, who is from Laxey and who admitted the charge, which related to an incident on November 9.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes granted a conditional discharge after defence advocate Darren Taubitz expressed his disappointment a probation service report recommended a suspended sentence, saying probation would not be suitable.

The defendant had mental health issues, the advocate said, and wanted the matter dealt with quickly.

Mrs Hughes said she ’struggled to find that custody threshold being passed’ by the nature of the offence, in which a police officer’s hand was scratched.

She said it would not be fair to impose a suspended sentence ’simply because other measures are not available’.

The defendant was ordered to pay £200 to one of the officers and £100 to the other.