Financial advisor and insurance broker MAC Group has announced the acquisition of a 50 per cent stake in Nugent Santé Ltd.

Nugent Santé, a UK specialist medical and healthcare broker, was formed last year by its managing director Paul Nugent.

Based in the north west of England, it officially launched in January this year and already manages in excess of £5million of annual insurance premium for private and corporate clients.

The company, which employs 10 people from its Preston headquarters, is aiming to distinguish itself from other brokers by offering a rounded proposition that focuses on keeping clients healthy and then supporting them when they are ill.

MAC Group chief executive Jon McGowan said: ‘We are delighted to announce our partnership with Nugent Santé which not only gives us opportunities for expansion in the UK but also offers MAC Group access to market leading healthcare schemes that are simply not available elsewhere.

‘Nugent Santé is a dynamic young company that specialises in dealing with small to medium enterprises and brings a new sense of purpose and energy to the health protection sector.

‘Its services and facilities will be at the full disposal of our Isle of Man corporate clients and we look forward to building on our relationship over the coming months.

‘This acquisition is part of a strategic plan of investment and development for MAC Group.

‘We believe it will act as a springboard for further acquisitions and other opportunities.

‘We already have a number of exciting developments in the pipeline and hope to make more announcements later in 2016.’

Mr Nugent, managing director of Nugent Santé, added: ‘The investment into the business by MAC Financial provides a wealth of growth opportunities.

‘Having built a strong relationship with Jon and the team at the wider MAC Group, it also gives us comfort and stability in the early years of the business and presents a platform to deliver a sustainable expansion plan.

‘Our business has grown organically through doing the basics right – offering a first class service – but this investment will be a key factor in the future success of Nugent Santé.

‘I’m extremely excited about the potential we can achieve working with the MAC Group and how we can also support its plans to develop its business in the UK.’

MAC Group comprises MAC Financial, MAC Commercial and MAC Financial Pension Trustees and currently looks after the benefits of some 11,500 employees in schemes in the Isle of Man.

Manx Petroleum has signed an agreement with Isle of Man Cyclefest Ltd to become an official partner of next month’s four-day cycling festival.

As well as official sponsor status the company is also the event’s exclusive fuel partner.

The festival schedule includes the televised professional Pearl Izumi Tour Series Race, a full community day that will offer a number of cyclists of all ages the opportunity to race or simply lap the one-mile closed road Mooragh Park course as well as a series of mass participation races over the weekend of the May 14-15.

Manx Petroleum chief executive Judith Thomson commented: ‘As a company we are heavily involved with the local community and Cyclefest appealed to us because it is a true community event with something for everyone.’

She continued: ‘We have been impressed with the professionalism and presentation of the event and are proud to be associated with it.’

Isle of Man Cyclefest director Paul Phillips added: ‘Although Cyclefest is based predominantly in Ramsey, we will have activity pretty much all around the island, particularly with the Gran Fondo.

‘Manx Petroleum’s backing will help us to support our island-wide infrastructure and event facilities. We have a large fleet of official vehicles that will be needed to deliver a professional event and Manx Petroleum’s support will help us to keep them on the road.’

www.iomcyclefest.com

Fans who want to sail to see the TT in 2017 can book from May 30 this year.

That’s the date on which the Steam Packet will start taking bookings.

The deposit for foot passengers has been held at £10, and the deposit for vehicles remains at £50.

Confirmations of sailings and fares will be sent out towards the end of the year, with final balance payments due during February 2017. Any provisional bookings which are not paid in full will be put back on sale the following month.

Last year the Steam Packet processed more than 3,300 bookings in the 10 hours after lines opened for this year’s event.

Steam Packet boss Mark Woodward said: ‘The deposit system is intended to help TT fans secure a place on the ferry and book accommodation a year in advance. We are announcing the date now that provisional bookings will open to give fans as much time as possible to plan.

‘There is always great demand to visit the TT, so we expect our website and phone lines to be very busy when provisional bookings open. We will be bringing in additional staff to help with demand, but would ask for the public’s patience as we assist other customers.’

Currently, more than 13,200 motorcycles and 34,200 passengers are booked to travel to the 2016 TT, slightly below the total level for the previous year.

Mr Woodward said: ‘As anticipated, the number of bookings for this year’s TT are down by around 5 per cent, equating to about 800 passengers and 800 motorcycles compared with 2015. This is due to the fact P&O Express is no longer available. Despite intensive efforts, it has proved impossible to locate a suitable alternative vessel available on a short-term charter basis.

‘Last year, in anticipation of this situation, we invested a substantial amount in the creation of a removable mezzanine deck system for Manannan. This, coupled with the charter of MV Arrow to carry freight and free-up space on Ben-my-Chree during TT, has reduced the impact of the loss of P&O Express by allowing us to carry more motorcycles on our own vessels.

‘However, there is currently no certainty that MV Arrow will be available for next year’s TT period, and that is, of course, a concern for all stakeholders in the event.

‘In addition, the “{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/steam-packet-places-offer-to-manx-government-for-new-strategic-sea-services-agreement-1-7869605|offer”} we have put to government for a new Strategic Sea Services Agreement includes a commitment to a long-term third/back-up vessel both to allow TT visitor numbers to grow as well as to provide security of transports links for residents and visitors. This was submitted to the Strategic Sea Services Working Group in January and has been the subject of detailed discussion between that group and our company.

‘We hope to be able to share details of our offer with the public shortly.’

Provisional bookings, which are held with a deposit, can be made by visiting www.steam-packet.com or calling 08722 992 992* (UK) or 0044 8722 992 992* (ROI & Outside UK) from 8.30am on that day.

The importance of honey bees will be highlighted in a talk in Douglas later this week by one of the UK’s beekeeping experts.

The illustrated talk at the Noa Bakehouse is called: ‘Honey Bees - their value and threats’, will be led by Roger Patterson and will be followed by a discussion involving Harry Owens, the island’s official government bee inspector and president of the island’s Beekeepers’ Federation.

By way of illustration, there will be a range of exhibits on display and possibly honey for sale.

Tickets cost £5 for the event which runs from 7pm to 10pm on April 29. They are available from the Noa Bakehouse or from Keith Osborn on 851192.

Organisers hope the event may appeal to anyone interested in bees and their welfare, not just beekeepers.

Mr Patterson has made numerous visits to the Isle of Man, including three last year when he spoke to island beekeepers and ran apiary visits.

He has been keeping bees for more than 50 years and does a large amount of teaching on the practical aspects of beekeeping as well as giveing many lectures and demonstrations.

Island beekeeper Johnny Kipps said: ‘He is an extremely helpful visitor and comes to the island regularly as part of our programme of continuously improving the quality of our bees. He gave a lecture to about 30 of the island’s beekeepers and encouraged us to set up a bee improvement sub-committee. This time he will be coming back to talk about the threats to our bees,’ he said.

Mr Kipps reminded the public of the need to be vigilant against the illegal importation of bees after a scare earlier in the year when foreign bees were though to have been brought to the island.

The Isle of Man enjoys a privileged position in being free of the varroa disease that has killed thousands of bees in the UK but the ban on importing bees is essential to maintain this and regular checks are carried out on colonies across the island.

A fantasy tale about a 15-year-old boy who learns he has the power to make his dreams come true is the subject of writer Zeba Clarke’s first book aimed at young adults.

Zeba, who is head of English at King William’s College and helps organise Manx LitFest, turned to young adult fiction with her sixth published novel Dream Guy, published by Finch Books.

‘Between 2003 and 2006, I’d written a series of Regency romances, in homage to Georgette Heyer, using my grandmother’s maiden name, Madeleine Conway,’ she said.

‘My oldest son, Seb, was pretty scathing and told me it was time to write something a bit more exciting and suitable for younger readers.’

Dream Guy was the result, a fantasy following 15-year-old Joe Knightley.

When she finished writing it in 2006, she sent it out to a couple of publishers, but it wasn’t until she was established in the island that she found the manuscript on her hard drive, re-read it and decided to polish it up.

Zeba, who moved to the island in 2013, said: ‘I worked pretty hard on rewriting and reshaping the book last spring, and then I was just fortunate that an established publisher, Totally Entwined, was setting up a young adult imprint, Finch Books. They offered me a contract last summer.’

Zeba has just completed a second book about Joe, which is definitely shaped by the Isle of Man.

‘Heirs of Hypnos is set partly on an island which is a mash-up of the Isle of Man and Malta. Dream Guy has some dark moments, but I think Heirs of Hypnos is possibly more nightmarish,’ she said.

Next for Zeba is a third and final story about Joe.

She has also started researching the Rushen women’s internment camp for her next project.

‘I first heard about the internment camps from Judith Kerr’s series of books, starting with When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Her father and brother were interned on the Isle of Man, but soon released. When I arrived here, I picked up Island of Barbed Wire, and that really intrigued me.’

Zeba has carried out research at the Imperial War Museum and the Manx Museum and is keen to hear any stories about this period.

The Right Reverend Libby Lane, the first female bishop in the Church of England, will be visiting the island this weekend.

Residents will have the chance to hear her speak at St John’s Mill on Saturday (April 30) from 10am until 1pm, when she will give a talk hosted by the Island Spirituality Network entitled ‘Opportunities for spiritual growth in everyday life’.

Following the historic 2014 vote by the Church of England’s General Synod to allow women to become bishops, she was consecrated as Bishop of Stockport by Archbishop John Sentamu in York Minster in January 2015, pictured above.

All are welcome to attend, although large numbers would need to be limited on grounds of safety. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome to cover costs.

The event is part of Bishop Libby’s visit to the island initiated by the Mothers’ Union.

Seven years after allotments were first introduced to a field in Rushen parish, allotment holders still do not have official permission to erect sheds.

However, some have put them up and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) has issued a letter regarding an ‘alleged breach of planning control’.

The situation is ‘a total debacle’, according to Steve Hulbert, director of the charity behind the Allotment Society governing the site, which is in Rushen but belongs to Port St Mary Commissioners.

‘There have been three attempts to get planning permission for sheds,’ he said. ‘The original independent inspector said yes, Eddie Teare MHK [deputising for the planning minister] overturned it. Another says it will not work.

‘We cannot understand why one inspector says yes that’s fine and the second saying that’s not fine. People are bemused and frustrated.

‘It’s a total debacle from start to finish. When Eddie Teare turned over the original decision he said it would spoil the view (of residents who have objected to previous applications) – but you have no right to a view.’

The objectors have in the past expressed concern about the scale of the alloment site fearing it would look like ‘a shanty town’.

Mr Hulbert said out of 40 allotments there are six sheds, adding: ‘None of them are visible from the roads. They are in a dip. Three are visible from the [objectors’] house.’

He added: ‘Some have just ignored the need for permission, while others say if the shed is moveable it does not need planning permission.

‘What planning should do is revisit the entire thing and say either: a) an allotment site does not need permission; or b) it was the wrong decision (by Mr Teare) and it should follow the first independent inspector’s advice.

‘Otherwise people will still ignore it and and hope the objectors’ give up the ghost or there will be an enforcement order and then that will cost more public money.

‘The whole thing is out of proportion, it’s unbelievable. On each application the planning officer has recommended it be accepted. It’s a total waste of money.’

Henry Moorhouse has owned an allotment for four years. Last year – after consulting planning officials – he erected a shed on wheels.

He said: ‘I emailed the department asking for clarity on the legal situation as I did not want to break the law. I was acting on the advice of the minister and director of planning and now they do not like it.

‘The whole situation is crazy. It’s the only allotment site in the island not to have permission for sheds. It’s costing a fortune.’

Port St Mary Commissioners have urged DEFA to rethink its approach to the alleged breach.

A second Onchan MHK has announced he will not be seeking re-election in September.

Last week, long-standing MHK Peter Karran confirmed he will be retiring from national politics.

Now Zac Hall has told constituents he won’t be standing again. In a statement, he said: ‘This is wholly my own personal decision after careful thought and long discussion with my family.

‘I would like to express my deepest heartfelt thanks to all the people of Onchan for electing me to the House of Keys.

‘The campaign brought me into contact with so many interesting people who I would not otherwise have met. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve you over recent years and use my judgement.

‘My greatest satisfaction has come from using my position to help and effect change for many people at an individual level in order to get what is right and fair, to challenge the civil service and other politicians to prove that what they are trying to do is in the best interests of the people of the Isle of Man.

‘I would like to wish all my constituents the very best in the future.’

Mr Hall has been no stranger to controversy. He was focus of a plagiarism row which led to him being depicted as a parrot on page one of the Isle of Man Examiner.

It will be history in the making this Sunday for campaigners behind ambitious proposals to restore Ramsey pier - when the gates are unlocked for perhaps the first time in 25 years.

Tom Durrant, who is leading the Queen’s Pier Restoration Trust, has collected the key to locked gates of the long-closed landmark.

And at 2.30pm on Sunday (May 1) supporters of the restoration campaign have been invited to attend the ceremonial turning of the key.

‘We are hoping for a big crowd,’ said Tom, an Andreas-based retired radar engineer.

Fellow campaigner Richard Crowhurst said: ‘This is an historic moment that will live on in posterity.’

The pier and its entrance building will remain out of bounds to members of the public on safety grounds for the time being, however.

But it does mean that a survey of the pier can begin ahead of restoration getting underway. Repair costs for the whole pier are now estimated at £1.5m, using the skills of volunteers to do the work.

A full survey of the pier’s 55 bays is likely to take two months to complete. A report with costings of the repair work will be submitted to the government’s harbours division and the campaigners then hope to secure a three year lease to repair the first three bays.

If that goes to plan, then a 99-year lease will be arranged and the remainder of the pier repaired. Work is expected to take about five years.

The condition of the pier is believed to be much better than originally thought, except for the first bay where much of the old ironwork will need to be replaced. Repair costs for that first bay are estimated at £66,000 with £25,000 each for the remaining 54 bays.

Elsie, a specially designed floating barge, will be hoisted up to each bay to allow work to be carried out.

A team of three have been selected to carry out the survey including naval architect Richard Crowhurst. They will use sonic equipment to test the condition of the metalwork. Securing specialist insurance for them has proved ‘a bit difficult’, said Tom.

Fund-raising has begun for the cost of rebuilding the first bay. A Justgiving page has been set up at https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/richard-crowhurst

Alternatively, you can send cheques to the Queen’s Pier Restoration Club, c/o 9 Ballasteen Road, Andreas, IM7 4HG.

Plans have been approved for a residential development of 66 homes in Ramsey despite planners’ conclusions that the proposed layout does not maximise the site’s potential.

Haven Homes has been given approval (15/00167/B) by the government planners for the development in three fields between Clifton Drive and the Grove Museum.

It will comprise 11 two-bedroom, 44 three-bedroom, nine four-bedroom and two five-bedroom homes.

This would include 16 affordable homes along the scheme’s main access road.

The site would have two accesses off Clifton Drive.

The application includes provision of public open space and a children’s play area.

Concerns about the proposal were raised by a number of neighbouring residents as well as by Ramsey Commissioners and Manx National Heritage, whose land extends to the development site’s border.

In the planning officer’s report it states the proposed layout was ‘considered to represent a missed opportunity’ with respect to layout, house design/finishes, biodiversity maximisation and tree coverage.

‘The proposed site plan reads rather like the design approach has been to set out a layout for the houses based on the site’s shape rather than on a good understanding of what the key features of the site are and how these might be best exploited to maximise the site’s potential,’ it continues.

It says designated public open space in a marshy area is likely to have ‘limited value’.

There are several areas of green that would be between or on the edge of hardstanding areas ‘which may be rarely maintained as a result’.

And the layout of homes in the centre of the site ‘has not been approached in a way to maximise views’.

Planners approved the plan saying ‘a fundamental objection to the proposal could not be sustained’.

Health Minister Howard Quayle MHK says he has seen no evidence of files being tampered with in children’s services.

The claims were made in Tynwald last week by LibVan MHK Peter Karran (Onchan).

Tynwald supported an amended motion that Mr Karran should present any evidence he has to the chairman of the independent review body.

But Mr Quayle said: ‘There is no evidence of files being altered. No one has been to the independent review body.

‘There are proper procedures to make a complaint and they have not been followed.’

The Minister said if Mr Karran came forward with evidence it would be thoroughly investigated. He said: ‘I hope he does. Some serious allegations have been made against staff and it has had an effect on morale. If staff have done nothing wrong and we find there’s no case to answer we can put this to bed.’

Mr Karran claimed serious allegations had been made about the conduct of vulnerable families’ cases including falsification of files and ‘oppressive treatment’. He called for an independent inquiry.

The island’s adoption process is being reviewed by the government.

The Deparment of Health and Social Care is inviting views from the public about what changes they’d like to see.

Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK said: ‘Supporting parents to care for their children is an important priority for the Isle of Man Government.

‘We believe that strong families make strong communities. But we must always put a child’s best interests before anyone else’s.

‘When children can’t live with their birth families, a range of care options are available, including adoption.

‘The process of adoption has lifelong consequences, so it is vital that we get it right for everyone, but particularly so for children. The Department has commissioned Jane O’Rourke, a local consultant, to independently facilitate this review and we would welcome input and comment from anyone with a viewpoint on this important subject.’

A public meeting is being held on Wednesday, May 4, at 5pm in Seminar Room 1 at the Manx Museum, Douglas, to provide a forum for the community.

Everyone is welcome to attend such as those who have been adopted; a family member affected by adoption; a teacher or professional working in the field of child safeguarding; a foster carer; or simply someone who has a view to share.

The DHSC said that in the Isle of Man there were relatively few adoptions but each one was a hugely significant event, forever affecting the world of the child, their birth and adoptive parents and grandparents, wider family, friendship and community groups.

Ray Harmer MHK, whose remit in the department includes children and families’ social care services, said: ‘Every child has a right to a family and adoption is sometimes the best way to secure a permanent, safe family for a child. The department believes it’s important that the process and the life-long outcomes are as good as they can be.’

Debbie Brayshaw, director of children and families’ social care service, said: ‘Without listening to the views of the community, we can’t establish a complete picture of the island’s ‘ideal’ adoption process.

‘While our service has experienced professionals, the opinions that matter most are the children and their families and the members of the community who are touched by adoption.

‘We are asking them to share their own experiences with us at this meeting. Knowing what works well and what could be improved is invaluable in developing services for some of the Island’s most vulnerable children.’

Those who are unable to attend the public meeting or instead wish to share their comments in writing can email manxadoption@gmail.com or write to Jane O’Rourke, c/o Adoption Review, 3rd Floor, Murray House, Douglas, IM1 2SF.

A weekly Green Walk and Talk event will kick off this Friday (April 29) with a walk in Ballaugh, starting from Station Road, from 1.30pm until 3pm.

The walks, organised by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, will take place in other locations such as Noble’s Park, St John’s Aboretum, Silverdale, Castletown, Port Erin, Middle River and the Wildlife Park.

The routes are generally flat but some may be more challenging with a number of climbs.

The cost of each session is £2, including refreshments, and there will be 15 walks in total, with the last one taking place at the Wildlife Park on August 19.

As an extra incentive those completing 10 walks will get the final walk at the Wildlife Park for free and there will be a special prize and certificate for those completing all 15 walks.

The Walk and Talk concept allows people to walk around a short circuit at their own pace with an emphasis on talking to fellow walkers rather than just walking.

It is recommended that adults should aim to walk 10,000 steps a day (about five miles). For more details call 688592 or email sduenquiries@gov.im

The government is looking for feedback on proposals aimed at improving key aspects of fire safety in the Isle of Man.

A public consultation was this week launched on the Fire Precautions (Houses in Multiple Occupation and Flats) Regulations 2016.

The intention is to update existing regulations, which were introduced in 1996, to put in place modern fire prevention measures for flats and houses in multiple occupation (HMO). There are currently no fire safety standards specified for HMO, which present similar fire safety risks as flats.

The draft regulations will cover a range of important issues, such as the provision of escape routes and fire safety equipment.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service has identified the need to update the regulations relating to fire safety in flats and to introduce similar standards for houses in multiple occupation.’

He added: ‘The social and financial impact of a fire in a flat can be devastating. Fortunately incidents of this nature are rare in the Isle of Man and the proposed new regulations will further reduce the risks and, most importantly, save lives.’

A copy of the Fire Precautions (Houses in Multiple Occupation and Flats) Regulations 2016 and associated appendices is available on the Government website {www.gov.im/dha/consultations.gov|here}

Submissions can be made by emailing dhaconsultation@gov.im or in writing to Karl Cubbon, Legislation and Policy Officer, Department of Home Affairs, Tromode Road, Douglas, IM2 5PA.

In addition to providing general comments about the proposed regulations, members of the public are invited to respond to a series of questions posed in the consultation document.

The deadline for submissions to the public consultation is Monday, June 6.

Dog fouling and litter were hot manifesto topics in the run-up to a mock election at Ramsey Town Hall held by 10- and 11-year-olds from Bunscoill Rhumsaa.

The event, the third of its kind, was hosted by Ramsey Commissioners.

The children gave their views on how the town might be improved.

Six were subsequently selected to act as candidates and present their manifestos ahead of the mock election for a Bunscoill Rhumsaa town commissioner.

The six pupils were Leah Bibby, Abbie Dixon, Daniel Jenner, Emily Slevin, Mia Dunwell, Lexi Forbes, who faced questions from the floor, media exposure from Manx Radio’s Alex Bell and the camera lens of Sue Jones of Andrew Barton Photographer.

A ballot was then held with Emily Slevin emerging the successful candidate.

Ramsey Commissioners’ chairman Richard Radcliffe said: ‘The event was arranged to provide some of the town’s future generation of voters – and perhaps even commissioners – an insight into election proceedings against the background of both the local and general elections taking place this year.

‘The exercise proved to be enlightening as much for the adults as it was for the children, who articulated their views with great conviction and enthusiasm. It was particularly interesting to hear that there are some community issues, such as dog fouling and litter, which clearly concern young people as much as they do the rest of us.

‘Given the calibre of debate and insight shown by these six candidates, were they to go on to become commissioners it would seem that Ramsey’s future would be in very safe hands.’

Local authorities are holding elections on Thursday.

But Ramsey will not go to the polls because not enough candidates have come forward.

A bye-election will, however, be held in May.

Today’s (Tuesday’s) Examiner lists all the candidates in the local authority elections.

Manx travel watchdog and lobby group TravelWatch will hold its spring public meeting on Thursday, starting at 7.30pm at the Manx Legion Hall in Douglas.

Director of public transport Ian Longworth will speak at the meeting, which will also hear reports on issues affecting sea and air travel.

Air issues include the reduction in capacity this summer on routes to London and the South East, feedback from Easyjet following their attendance at the November meeting and concerns about contingency plans if the island loses any air operators.

Sea issues include the replacement of the Liverpool landing stage, and the necessity of taking into full account the needs of passengers.

Entry is free and all are welcome.

Business owners affected by the regeneration works currently being undertaken in Peel are invited to an event hosted by the Department of Economic Development.

It will take place at the Town Hall from midday on Wednesday, May 4.

The purpose of the meeting is to outline the financial support and advice available while the work takes place.

About 1,800 pupils will be taking A-level and GCSE exams from next week.

Exam season starts on Tuesday, May 3, and lasts till June 27.

It’s the first time students have sat IGCSEs in large numbers as the island stays with an A* to G graded qualification system rather than adopt the new 1-9 grading system used in England.

Education Minister Tim Crookall said: ‘Students have worked hard ahead of these exams and I wish them all the very best in the weeks ahead. I hope their application pays dividends, opening up opportunities for their continued journey through learning and life.

‘I’d also like to praise parents, as their support has been important to students while they’ve been revising and will be vital in the coming weeks.

‘For our secondary schools, exam time is extremely busy and demanding and it is important to recognise all that staff are doing to ensure our students are successful.

‘For example, because exam timetables are set by UK bodies, students continue to sit them during TT, when our schools are closed, and this can cause logistical issues, especially for schools on or near the TT course. Schools are also holding additional revision classes after school.’

The Minister said: ‘Having a well-qualified and highly skilled workforce is vital to the continued economic success of the island.

‘These exams pave the way for young people to be successful contributors to our economy.’

Students receive their results on Thursday, August 18, for A-levels and Thursday, August 25, for GCSEs.

A teenager who threw a tantrum after being thrown out of a Douglas bar by bouncers has been fined but escaped a licensing act ban.

The 18-year-old swore repeatedly at door staff at the Courthouse on Athol Street when they ejected him sometime after 3am on April 10.

Hazel Carroon said police stationed outside the Courthouse took Dean Michael Shipsides to one side so he could calm down but he carried on shouting and swearing so they arrested him.

Shipsides admitted a charge of being drunk and disorderly.

Describing the youth as ‘a very young man who has behaved in a very immature manner’, Shipsides’ advocate Peter Taylor said it was his client’s first visit to court.

‘He had been out for a drink and he had been asked to leave but failed to accept that you can never have the last word with the doorstaff. This is something he now realises. When the police arrived, he did not stop, as he should have done,’ he said.

‘He has learned a valuable lesson about the importance of simply walking away when you are asked to leave. If you do that, everyone is happy.’

Mr Taylor said the teenager had recently started working but had not yet received a pay cheque.

‘He apologises, he regrets his actions and at only just over 18 it’s a first offence and it’s not at the highest end of the scale,’ he said.

‘He was not excessively drunk, it just appears he wanted to have the last word with the door staff.’

Passing sentence, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told him: ‘You have learned a very hard lesson from your behaviour. You spent a good few hours in the police cells and you will now suffer a significant financial penalty for your trouble. People never come off better arguing with doorstaff or - even worse - arguing with the police.’

Shipsides was fined £200 for being drunk and disorderly and pays £204 costs.

A night club reveller who was held on the ground and Pava-sprayed until he complied with police has been fined for being drunk and disorderly.

Jason Kneale, of Castle Drive in Douglas, got embroiled in a 3am altercation with police outside the Courthouse bar on Athol Street.

Douglas’s Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes heard the 21-year-old intervened in a separate dispute as police were trying to force a man to leave the area.

For the prosecution, Hazel Carroon said: ‘Police had escorted a man away from the area but he came back. When police intervened again, the defendant stood in between them saying, ‘‘You don’t have to listen to these.’

When police ‘told him to desist’, Miss Carroon said Kneale mocked the policeman’s Scottish accent and started shouting and swearing and ‘making oinking noises’.

As police attempted to arrest him, he tensed his arms and flailed around so they ‘had to use force to gain control’, she said.

Kneale continued to prevent police from handcuffing him, whereupon he ‘fell to the ground,’ face down, shouting and lashing out.

Police rubbed Pava incapacitant spray into the defendant’s face but he continued grappling and tried to bite one of them, shouting: ‘Or what...?’ when police challenged him.

‘Pre-emptive strikes’ were used by police on the defendant and he was Pava-sprayed again before allowing himself to be handcuffed.

Miss Carroon said a large crowd had gathered and were ‘clearly alarmed’ by the spectacle unfolding in front of them.

A further consignment of police arrived to ‘help subdue the defendant’, she said.

Though he had been cautioned in the past, Miss Carroon said Kneale had no previous convictions. A letter of apology was also handed in to the court.

Kneale admitted being drunk and disorderly and resisting arrest on April 10.

Kneale’s advocate Peter Taylor said his client realised his behaviour was unacceptable.

‘He was intoxicated. He had been to a birthday party and had one too many. There had been no problem prior to this then he involved himself with something that was nothing to do with him. He can’t explain why he did it,’ he said.

Sentencing him, Mrs Hughes said: ‘Because of your actions this looked like a riot in Athol Street. It could have been far more serious. Police were called from other duties.’

He was fined £200 for being drunk and disorderly, and £500 for resisting arrest. He is to pay £100 compensation, £125 costs, and is banned from on-licensed premises for two months.