Fine for woman who claimed she'd been 'harassed' by police

45-year-old arrested after 'playfight' in street

A Douglas woman who believes she’s been ‘harassed’ by the police has been fined £300 after shouting and swearing at them.

Wilma Margaret Dotsey-Thompson, of Cushag Road, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

The 45-year-old was arrested on Bucks Road in Douglas, just after 6pm on 28 December last year, after a member of the public witnessed a fight between two men and two women.

When officers arrived they detained Dotsey-Thompson for a search but she began shouting and swearing at them and was arrested.

During sentencing Dotsey-Thompson's advocate told the court his client had been ‘playfighting’ and had reacted due to the number of officers sent to the scene and because of her previous involvement with the constabulary.

He claimed she’d been stopped and searched seven times – and had her house searched five times – in recent time adding nothing was found on each occasion.

“She does feel somewhat targeted, victimised and harassed at the moment,” he explained adding: “Miss Dotsey-Thompson is trying to put the past behind her and move on.”

Fining Dotsey-Thompson, and ordering her to pay prosecution costs of £125, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told her: “If police stop you, if they’re dealing with you, you can’t behave like this.”