'Last chance saloon' for Douglas man who spat blood at PC

35-year-old handed suspended prison sentence

A Douglas man who spat blood at a police officer has narrowly escaped being sent to prison after being told he’s in ‘last chance saloon’.

Dean Anthony Whitehead, of Heather Crescent, was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse today (11 April).

The 35-year-old had previously admitted assaulting the female PC, and being drunk and disorderly, during an incident at Tramman Park on 1 October last year.

Police had been called to reports of a suspected burglary but were approached by Whitehead who was slurring, agitated and aggressive; he refused to leave whilst they were conducting their enquiries.

When he did exit the courtyard Whitehead continued to be ‘verbally aggressive’ before running from officers – when they tried to arrest him he resisted and had to be taken to the floor to be restrained.

Whitehead, who reportedly lost a tooth and suffered a ‘burst ear drum’ in the process, then spat at the officer with a ‘significant’ amount of spittle, containing blood, landing on her trousers.

Today the court heard sentencing in the case had been delayed whilst Whitehead underwent a placement at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in the United Kingdom.

Describing his behaviour at the time of offending as ‘impulsive’ and ‘reckless’ his advocate confirmed he’d since completed almost three months of ‘intense rehabilitation’.

However she said he’d left the facility early after being caught drinking alcohol, and having his privileges removed, in an incident she described as a ‘wobble’.

Confirming he is now working with the Drug and Alcohol Team on the Island she added: “He believed, and he still believes, he’s on the correct path.”

Sentencing Whitehead to 14 weeks custody, suspended for two years, High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said he’d fallen ‘off the wagon’ and hadn’t ‘fully cooperated’ with the rehabilitation placement.

Acknowledging that Whitehead had ‘done everything right’ since returning to the Isle of Man, including finding employment, she said she’d give him ‘one further chance’ to put his life back on track.

Making him the subject of a Suspended Sentence Supervision Order for two years she told Whitehead: “You are very much in last chance saloon. You’re getting too old for this.”

Whitehead was also ordered to pay £250 in compensation to the police officer, £125 in prosecution costs and handed a six-month licensing ban.