Jail for man who punched his mother repeatedly in face

26-year-old also spat at police sergeant

A Douglas man has been handed a six-month prison term after punching his mother in the face.

Aaron Lee Barnett attacked her multiple times, causing her nose to bleed heavily, at their home on Peel Road on 16 July.

She called 999 just before 7.30pm telling police her son also had a knife – the 26-year-old made his own ‘hysterical’ call to the emergency services alleging the attack had been the other way around.

Barnett told officers he was hearing voices and was arrested and taken to Police Headquarters – whilst there he spat at a custody sergeant twice with the spit landing on his neck and clothing.

He later admitted common assault and assaulting a police officer.

During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse the court was told Barnett had failed to comply with a psychiatric assessment or a social enquiry report.

His advocate described his client as having ‘not insignificant personal and mental health difficulties’ adding: “He is apologetic – he accepted fully his mother did not attack him.”

“He lost his temper,” the advocate added, describing it as ‘a moment in which he has simply lashed out’.

Jailing Barnett, who has already spent five weeks in custody, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told him: “This was a nasty incident. It would have been extremely frightening.”

Noting his ‘significant difficulties’ in the past she added: “Spitting is disgusting and won’t be tolerated”.