Police used pepper spray on man

A 31 year old man who had to be restrained by police using a chemical spray has had sentence adjourned by the High Bailiff, Michael Moyle.

Martin John Sloane, of no fixed abode, admitted using threatening, abusive and insulting language causing a person to believe unlawful violence would be used.

Howard Caine reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Inspector Richard Power, prosecuting, said Sloane had walked off from an address in Ballasalla at 11am on October 5, but did not have vital medication with him.

He was subsequently found by police at 5.30pm later the same day in woods near to a farm in Ballasalla.

There was a confrontation between the defendant and police, but just after 6pm police managed to get close enough to incapacitate him using their spray.

Sloane remained aggressive and violent and was examined at police headquarters by a police surgeon.

His advocate Sue Griffin asked for an updated social and medical report, and Mr Moyle remanded Sloane in custody until November 6.

(Image: Douglas Courthouse, where Sloane appeared).