Strang man denies witness intimidation charge

44-year-old to appear in court again in June

A court's heard a Strang man allegedly tried to persuade a mother that her child should drop charges against a man who made sexual comments towards them.

Forty-four-year-old Andrew Fenton, of Cronk Grianagh, appeared at Douglas Courthouse.

He pleaded not guilty to a single charge of witness intimidation on 23 January.

The court heard Mr Fenton, the young boy and his mum had all been at an Andreas Racing Association event in Ramsey on 22 January.

During the evening the man is said to have made inappropriate and sexual comments to the child – his mother rang police and the man was arrested.

However a day later Mr Fenton is said to have contacted her on Facebook – saying he understood she was a witness and it would be better to drop the case.

He also allegedly told her the racing community would turn on her son and claimed the boy would be a better person if he forgave what happened.

Magistrates bailed Mr Fenton and he's next due to appear on 2 June.