It’s a special year for Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW) as they celebrate their 10-year anniversary and first year as a registered charity.

Special events are planned to celebrate and residents are invited to get actively involved with the charity by joining as a member.

MWDW was founded in 2006 by John Galpin who often saw whales, dolphins and porpoises from his home on the west coast.

He set up a website for people to report sightings and collaborated with the Sea Watch Foundation.

In 2007, John sought the help of marine mammal scientists, including Tom Felce, who now runs MWDW. They began conducting the first ever surveys of cetaceans around the island, as well as photographing and cataloguing dolphins.

In 2010, Tom started taking on full-time volunteer research assistants. Then, in 2012 he was joined by Jen Adams, an environmental educator, who set up the Outreach and Education Department and since 2013 have had masters students carrying out projects.

Membership has now opened up to the public, allowing anyone to get actively involved in the conservation of the species.

Adult members receive a detailed information pack about Manx cetaceans, including an ID guide and a car sticker. Juniors receive their own information pack and illustrated wall poster.

Members also receive quarterly newsletters and juniors will receive their own updates with quizzes and fun facts.

Members are entitled to reduced entry into any future talks or workshops and will be invited to AGMs, where over 18s can vote.

To celebrate their anniversary, MWDW will be running a variety of talks, workshops and public surveying events throughout the summer.

With support from the Manx Lottery Fund, free land-based observer workshops will be on offer to volunteers to conduct surveys from the coastline.

The workshops will take place in May and June but dates are still to be finalised.

The charity has some very exciting plans for the near future.

They will be purchasing their own research vessel, thanks to the Scheinberg Family, which will enable the charity to expand their research efforts.

They will also begin running tourist trips with expert guides on board.

Future plans include obtaining funding to open up a visitors centre, which will double up as an office.

The charity will continue to work closely with other cetacean organisations around the British Isles and beyond to further the understanding of local species and how they fit into the wider picture of cetaceans in the British Isles.

To become a member or find out other ways of getting involved visit www.mwdw.net or phone Jen on 393496.

The first horse tram for the 2016 season set out from Derby Castle this weekend.

The service was reprieved for this year and will be operated by Isle of Man Railways, after Douglas Council voted not to fund the service any more.

Kate Beecroft MHK, political memnber with responsibility for public transport said: ‘The happy sight and sound of the horse trams on Douglas promenade is a sure sign that the summer season has begun. Everyone at the Isle of Man Railways recognises the importance of the horse trams as an intrinsic piece of the Isle of Man’s heritage railways offering.

‘We are committed to ensuring horse tram services operate the full length of the promenade during 2016 and look forward to resolving their longer term future in the coming months.

‘I hope residents and visitors will also show their support for the horse trams by buying the Go Horse Tram cards and keeping them busy.’

Isle of Man Railways will operate the service until October 30, though not every day of the week, apart from during the peak season.

Horse tram fares are £3 for adults and £2 for children for single journeys. Tickets can be bought on the tram. Day tickets are available at £6 for adults, £3 for children or £15 for a family. Season-long Go Horse Tram cards valid until October 30 are £30 for adults and concessionary rates are £20.

For more details see www.rail.im or pick up a leaflet from Derby Castle ticket office or the Welcome Centre in Douglas Sea Terminal.

Police say Douglas Road in Peel, which was closed following an accident near the sand quarry, has now reopened.

The closure affected the section of road between the junction with Station Road, St John’s and Albany Road. The accident involved one motorcycle and the rider was taken to hospital with a leg injury.

An urgent appeal has been made to raise funds to help impoverished Indian villagers whose homes were destroyed by fire on April 4.

The disaster may – on a global scale - be small, but it is life changing for the 40 families who lived in the 30 homes on the edge of the village of Duddukuru and are now homeless. One little boy aged four was killed and a two-year-old girl suffered burns.

Victims have lost everything and there is no back up from government or the wider family who are already struggling with poverty.

The appeal was made by Manx charity ManASVI, that works with the local Indian registered charity Amen Trust in the area in southern India giving medical aid to rural and tribal communities.

‘The homeless of Duddukuru need help urgently and of course a charity can only do what donors are willing to pay for,’ said charity founder Alan Whybrew.

The charity was formed in 2008 after Alan’s daughter spent a month in the area while training to be a nurse. Alan went too and said their experience ‘gave us a good insight into the problems in India. It’s relatively easy to help with small amounts of money, what we raise you can multiply 20-fold.’

Alan makes regular trips back, ‘to see that the money is spent properly, I trust the people running the Amen Trust,’ he said.

‘I went to see the trust and saw what they did and why they needed the money for the health work and clinic. There are problems like typhoid, worms, parasites, often villagers just suffer,

Alan said of his work with the charity. ‘It’s doing something in a world where it’s rather difficult to see things get done.’

- Donations can be made online via Paypal at the ManASVI Connect2Charity website connect2charity/manasvi.im.

A seven-year-old girl from Onchan has almost completed a 100 mile cycling challenge to raise money for charity.

Harriet Kneale, who goes to Ashley Hill School, decided she wanted to do something special in January after her father did a sponsored TT course cycle ride last year.

Harriet is raising money through sponsorship for the National Ankylosing Spondylities Society, a condition her father suffers from.

Her mother, Berni Kneale said: ‘That inspired her. She has been out in all weather, most cold and damp, over the past few months.

‘She now only has seven miles to go to complete the 100 miles. She set herself a date of June 8, her eighth birthday as her target date as this marks the two year anniversary since her dad last had a flair up of his ankylosing spondylitis.’

Harriet had a target of £500 but she has already exceeded this, raising £612 to date.

She started the challenge in January.

Ankylosing Spondylitis is a long-term chronic condition in which the spine and other areas of the body become inflamed.

The symptoms can vary but usually involve back pain and stiffness.

There is no cure but treatments can decrease the pain and lessen the symptoms.

An estimated 200,000 people in the UK suffer from the condition.

You can donate to Harriet’s cause by visiting www.justgiving.com/berni-kneale

The Manx Hedgehog Conservation Society was the proud recipient of its own promotional vehicle in the shape of a Ford Ka, eye-catchingly decorated with hedgehog pictures.

The car, which will be used by the charity when it visits schools and other organisations to give talks, as well as for transporting and releasing hedgehogs, was donated by Sarah Hedley and the artwork was produced by Signrite.

Sandy Huyton, of the society said they were extremely grateful for the donation, as well as some funding from the Lottery Trust and £81 donated by Kayleigh Smart of Ballakermeen High School who held a cake sale.

The society plans to open an £80,000 visitor centre to educate the public and promote hedgehog conservation. The centre, at St Marks, will offer a variety of displays and information for visitors.

Sandy is hoping as many businesses and individuals as possible will offer funds to support the venture in exchange for a plaque on the finished building and an acknowledgement in the Book of Gratitude.

Donations can be made via the Manx Hedgehog Conservation Society’s Facebook page, by emailing manxhedgehogs@gmail.com or calling 413921

The insights gained through contemplation has prompted Quaker Ruth Kirk to produce a booklet of prayers.

‘Keep on seeking, reflections on the search for God’ is the third booklet she has printed in the hope her insights will help others.

Ruth has been a member of the Quakers – the official title is the Religious Society of Friends in the Isle of Man – for a year, but was involved with a group in the UK for 25 years.

‘Contemplation is central to being a Quaker,’ she said. ‘Meetings take place in silence, people only speak if they are inspired to speak. I contemplate every day and inspiration for a piece of writing will come to me.’

Ruth said she also likes the very democratic organisation of this branch of Christianity.

‘I find it very difficult to fit into institutions where beliefs are laid down. Thinking for yourself, as a Quaker, is embedded as being an important part of spiritual development.

‘Quakers will discuss and spend an age thinking about how to deal with something.

‘A clerk is appointed, but there is no leader telling people what to believe – you take responsibility for yourself.’

The island group is ‘small but stable’ and they would welcome new members.

They meet every Sunday at Eastcliffe Resource Centre, Victoria Road, Douglas, except on the fourth Sunday of the month they meet elsewhere.

Meetings are silent until someone is inspired to speak; they are not directed by a minister but a clerk records proceedings. As Quakers believe as God is in everybody, each person has the capability to ‘respond to the leadings of God’.

There were Quakers in the island from the start of the movement in the mid-17th century and in 1665 visits were made by Quakers from Cumbria.

However, in 1666 laws were introduced to prevent them coming to the island and to banish Manx Quakers.

There is no evidence of a formal Quaker presence until after 1945.

Ruth confessed that without her involvement in the movement, ‘I would be terrible’, adding: ‘I’m agoraphobic and depressive and have chronic fatigue. I would not be able to manage with it. If not for the insights and peace I get through contemplation, I would be very poorly.’

For information, email quakerfriends@manx.net

Copies of Ruth’s booklet are at Noble’s Hospital or phone 824208

University of Chester archaeology professor Howard Williams will talk about ‘Smiths, Myths and Viking Age Stones’ in Isle of Man College’s History & Heritage lecture series.

He will examine depictions of smiths from Norse mythology on Viking Age stones in the British Isles, as well as on rune-stones and picture-stones from Scandinavia. And he will talk about the complex identity of the mythological smith, and the role of the smith in early medieval life and society.

The lecture takes place at Elmwood House lecture theatre on Wednesday next week (May 4) at 6pm.

The new radar system at Ronaldsway - still yet to get final approval from the Civil Aviation Authority - is ‘probably one of the best deals government has ever struck’.

That’s the view of Infrastructure Minister Phil Gawne who was quizzed in the House of Keys over delays with the replacement radar.

The £3.2m project, the first of its kind to be used in the British Isles, was approved by Tynwald in December 2010. But while the new primary and secondary radars installed by Selex are functioning they still don’t yet have UK CAA approval.

Peter Karran (Lib Van, Onchan) asked if the taxpayer was protected and suggested the Minister refer this to the Public Accounts Committee.

Mr Gawne replied that Ronaldsway was unique in the British Isles for having four full functional radars. He blamed the delay on communications problems with the Italian contractor but we were now in the ‘home straight’ for getting CAA approval.

He insisted government was far from losing out and substantial sums had been secured from the company for failing to deliver. He added: ‘We are recouping much of the cost added to which we are having our old primary and secondary radar maintained at the expense of the contractor. So this probably one of the best deals that government had ever struck in terms of requirements on the contract.’

The Manx Blind Welfare Society has unveiled a locally made artwork which will serve as a commemoration of people’s support for the charity.

The Giving Tree is a large wooden sculpture which has taken pride of place in the society’s headquarters, Corrin Court in Onchan. Handmade by the Manx Workshop for the Disabled, it was funded by a bequest from Eric and Zenith Brettoner and created in celebration of the society’s 80th year – the ‘oak’ anniversary.

The society provides free services and support for hundreds of blind and visually impaired people.

Volunteers’ coordinator and events organiser Debbie Thomson said: ‘It will not only mark our anniversary, but will also become a lasting way of commemorating people’s generosity in supporting our work. Individuals and organisations will be able to make a donation in exchange for a leaf or an acorn, which can be engraved with a personal message and added to the sculpture.

‘The engraving could be your name, the name of an organisation or business, a tribute in memory of someone or just a simple message. Whatever words you choose, it will be added to The Giving Tree meaning you will always be part of our future.’

Money raised by donations will help fund the support and services provided by the society, which include assistive technology, sporting activities, social inclusion, an audio library and the recorded news service.

Peter Hindley, general manager at Manx Workshop for the Disabled, said: ‘We were absolutely delighted to be approached by Manx Blind Welfare Society to work on this project. We’ve never made anything quite like The Giving Tree before, but we spoke to the society in detail about what they wanted and our member Brian Watterson carefully crafted something entirely bespoke. We think the final result looks stunning and a fitting tribute to 80 years of the society.’

To find out how you can contribute to The Giving Tree, with donations starting at £25, contact Debbie Thomson by emailing dthomson@mbws.org.im or calling 674727. Donation forms can also be collected from Corrin Court and downloaded from the society’s website www.mbws.org.im.

To find out more about the work of MBWS, visit www.mbws.org.im.

A support group for single parent families is to enjoy a higher profile after it received a Celton Manx Recognition award.

Manx Gingerbread Friendship Group is one of 22 causes to benefit in 2016 from the award scheme aimed at not-for-profit organisations with limited resources for promoting and developing their services.

Cordinator Carrie Yates said: ‘This award is a tremendous boost for our small but growing group of single mums and their children.

‘Manx Gingerbread was set up to provide a safe place for single parent families to get together, share experiences and support each other. We meet once a week and, for many of these mothers – as yet we don’t have any single fathers in the group, although they’d be welcome – a week can be a long time if you’re struggling on your own. We all love being with our children, of course, but there are times when we need to be with other mothers who understand the challenges of being a single parent.

‘Receiving this award has meant we’ve been able to buy toys and games so our children can play and make new friends while we mothers have a chance to talk about a wide range of issues, anything from childcare to balancing the demands of work and home life. This means we’re less stressed…and so are the children.

‘The award has also helped us to fund the rent for the community room at St Ninian’s Church the group uses. The church has been tremendously supportive and the room’s a fantastic space with great facilities. We’ve also had a banner made to raise our profile, which has made a huge difference as we display it outside St Ninian’s so people can find us easily and we can attract more members; we’ll also be using it whenever we meet somewhere else, in a park, for example, to hold a children’s sports day.

‘Thanks to this Recognition award we’re considering expanding and perhaps establishing a second group in the south of the island, but whatever our future plans may hold we will always involve the children because we believe it’s important they begin to understand what being a single parent is all about.’

Celton Manx executive director Bill Mummery said: ‘Life for lone parents can be hard at times; it can also be isolating.

‘Carrie and her peers understand the difficulties - financial, social and emotional – single parents face. Manx Gingerbread Friendship Group is not only providing a valuable forum for these families but also helping to change attitudes about single parenthood. We applaud the group’s efforts and have been pleased to make this Recognition award. Manx Gingerbread Friendship Group is a fine example of the importance of third sector non-governmental organisations that contribute a great deal to the island’s social wellbeing.’

Manx Gingerbread Friendship Group meets at St Ninian’s Church on Sundays from 2pm to 4pm. For more information email: manx_gingerbread@yahoo.com or follow Manx Gingerbread Friendship Group on Facebook.

Until quite recently, we always kept a pet. Nothing exotic, invariably just bog standard cats and dogs.

In our early days we had a penchant for whippets, and at one time, we were owned by a brace of dachshunds.

Latterly, we were into lurchers.

When we were just married, we dabbled briefly with Mynah birds and cats, but sadly the cats and the Peel to Douglas main road did not mix, and the Mynah birds were always arguing, so we ended up with man’s best friend.

Have you noticed a whole new pet industry has sprung up? Some marketing genius has found a way of persuading people to buy mongrels for as much money as they would spend on a pedigree model.

They call them fancy names such as ‘labrapiddle’ and ‘spandalatian’ and sell as many as they can get their hands on.

Most of today’s dogs have been developed from ancestors that were kept as working animals.

They have pulled sledges, herded cattle and sheep, hunted everything from hares to humans, and kept watch over property. They have been used as hot water bottles and Sunday dinners.

Their stomachs have seen service as floats for fishing nets and they’ve delivered countless miniature barrels of brandy to Swiss mountaineers.

They have been film stars, pop stars, ladies, tramps and astronauts. They have been trained to search for, and find, drugs, explosives, truffles and earthquake victims.

They have been given names such as Shep, Lassie and Patch, and have been the eyes and ears for thousands of folk who have difficulty in seeing or hearing.

One of my favourite doggie tales takes some wagging.

I was walking down Victoria Street when I saw a young lady wearing a high vis jacket.

Then I saw a man and a dog similarly jacketed. I quickly sussed that the man was being trained to be as clever as his new dog and the young lady was going to give him marks out of 10.

The man and the dog were going to cross the road. They turned and approached the edge of the pavement.

The dog, who obviously had a bit of sense, had weighed up the fact there was approaching traffic, so it sat down to wait until the road was clear.

A lady driving a small black car saw this dog and this man in high vis jackets and decided that it was time to do her good deed for the day. She stopped the car and waved them to cross the road.

Now, as I am sure you know, guide dogs are trained to ‘sit’ if they see an approaching car. I didn’t wait to see what happened next.

Like most things today, owning a dog is not as straightforward as it once was. In the old days, all you needed to do was to find the dog of your dreams and buy a dog licence. Unless of course you were a Douglas Corporation tenant.

If you lived in a Corpy house, you were obliged to have written permission from the town clerk. I had never given this matter very much thought, and as far as I know, neither had anyone else.

A quick phone call to the Town Hall and a short conversation with a patient Corporation officer did confirm if you are a tenant of a Corporation house or flat and fancied keeping a Latvian Polehound or something similar, you do have to have written permission.

Dogs are deservedly known as man’s best friend.

They will retrieve every ball that you throw. They will proudly carry a stick for miles and they will act like a comedian if given half a chance.

Recently, we were invited to a reception at Government House. The place was packed. I was sitting down, enjoying a glass of the Governor’s merlot when his little dog appeared.

It was doing that special doggie trick. Pulling itself along with its front legs, his back legs in the air, and his itchy backside being scratched by the Axminster. Priceless!

A 46-year-old man from Merseyside has been sentenced to community service and probation after an assault on his ex-girlfriend.

Iain Jason Plant, of Wheatsheaf Avenue in St Helens, pleaded guilty to a common assault charge after an attack on the woman in the Sefton Express hotel in Castletown.

In court on Tuesday, Plant was visibly relieved to escape a jail sentence and wept as Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘It was a sustained assault, including a bite on your victim, however, I am not going to send you to prison today.

‘I hope this will protect the public from you and help you change your ways.’

Earlier, prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how Plant had met the woman on the internet and travelled to the island to visit her several times.

On February 22 the pair had gone back to stay at the Sefton where the woman had fallen asleep.

She said she was woken by Plant holding her phone, swearing and shouting at her: ‘Who’s Will? I knew something was going on. That’s why you kept me at arm’s length.’

He was then said to have grabbed her by the throat and threw her into the wall. She tried to escape but Plant kept throwing her onto the bed and pinned her down, at one point biting her on the arm.

She tried to call the police but Plant was said to have kept taking her phone from her.

Eventually she got out of the room and tried to call ‘999’ on the hotel phone only for Plant to keep hanging up.

Police managed to locate where the call was coming from and went to the hotel.

Plant had gone outside but was arrested and made no comment in a police interview.

His defence advocate David Reynolds said in court: ‘A text came through and Mr Plant looked at her phone to see if it was urgent.

‘They had both been drinking. We would say both parties received injuries. The hotel manager said that the woman had Mr Plant’s phone in the corridor and would not give it back. The manager even said in his statement to police, “I remember thinking just give him the phone”.

‘Mr Plant is very apologetic and remorseful for his actions. He was detained in prison for a week and has lost his job at Sellafield because of this. You could say he has already been punished.

‘The relationship is well and truly over, he has had no contact with the woman since and has no intention of contacting her.

‘He will not be returning to the Isle of Man. He knows he could be looking at custody and came fully prepared with his suitcase.’

A coast line clean up session organised by beach cleaning charity Beach Buddies has been postponed for one week.

The session planned to take place on Sunday May 1 (today) will now take place on Sunday May 8, at the same location, Sartfield, near Jurby, starting at 10.30am.

Beach Buddies boss Bill Dale said a combination of the torrential rain forecast and the exposed northern coast location made it impractical to run the session.

For more details log on to the Beach Buddies’ Facebook page, Beach Buddies Isle of Man.

Police are trying to trace a bicycle that was stolen from outside a shop in the centre of Douglas on Saturday.

The red Mongoose bicycle was taken from outside William Hill bookmakers in Castle Street between 5.35pm and 5.50pm on April 30.

Anyone with information should contact police on 631212 and ask for Constable Emily Heaton

The Manx Wildlife Trust shop in Peel has launched an exclusive new range of Isle of Man-themed products.

The items are only be available in the charity’s Market Place shop and include tea towels, magnets, coasters, small trays and cutting boards, postcards and greeting cards.

They feature a wildlife design by local artist Emma Ball.

Staff and volunteers gathered at the shop to launch the new range of items.

The trust thanked Sue Hammett at PokerStars for sponsorship which helped in the creation of the collection and the volunteers who run the shop.

The Manx Wildlife Trust is the island’s leading nature conservation charity caring for land, sea and fresh water environments.

One of its main aims is to acquire and manage nature reserves and safe sites for wildlife on the island.

It currently manages 22 local nature reserves, encompassing almost 300 acres of land, two visitor centres and one shop.

Island firm PDMS Maritime has clinched a ‘significant’ new contract with the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The company will provide a new integrated system to incorporate seafarer management and approved doctor records, delivering process efficiency improvements and enhanced customer services, in line with the MCA’s digital strategy.

The MCA is an executive agency of the UK Department for Transport. Its responsibilities include UK ship registration and seafarer certification and it is widely recognised for its operational and technical ability.

PDMS Maritime will be delivering a ‘modern platform’ which will incorporate all the business management processes for a Seafarer Records System (SRS) and Approved Doctors Information System (ADIS), provided as a new single integrated system.

A spokesman said the browser-based system will significantly streamline the MCA’s processes to improve efficiency, greatly improve the management of information and business services, and further facilitate the delivery of exemplary levels of customer service.

The Seafarer Records area of the integrated system will consolidate all the processes from a number of existing MCA seafarer systems to streamline and modernise the way these business areas operate.

It will also provide an array of other new features which will include the provision of online applications and services.

The Approved Doctor Information area will provide modern integrated functionality which will allow the MCA to retain the records of doctors approved to conduct medical checks on seafarers and issue relevant medical certificates.

Bruce McGregor, PDMS Maritime Director who spearheads the so-called MARIS programme, said: ‘We are very much looking forward to working closely with such an important maritime organisation as the MCA – applying our technology expertise and partnership approach to help them achieve their strategic business objectives.’

He added: ‘This is an exciting project for our MARIS team who will also be able to bring real benefits resulting from our existing experiences.’

A new charity has been set up to provide support for people with kidney health issues in the island.

The Manx Kidney Patients Association (MKPA) is inviting anyone with past or present kidney problems to join.

MKPA secretary Paul Cubberley said: ‘We were strongly urged to form this association by the staff and doctors of the island’s two renal units.

‘We have several aims. Our most important aim is it to raise awareness of kidney issues, many of which go undetected in people.

‘There are somewhere in the region of 8,500 people in the island with kidney issues, but only a tiny percentage of those actually know.

‘One of our other aims is to raise money for a brand new Renal Unit at Noble’s, because the present unit was an afterthought.’

The charity was formed in February this year and aims to give a voice to renal patients in the island.

They are looking for fundraising ideas as well as members with a professional medical background who may be able to give crucial input.

Mr Cubberley said: ‘If anyone has any ideas please let us know, as I’m sure all efforts to get the MKPA up and running will be much appreciated.’

There will be an open meeting of the Manx Kidney Patients Association on Wednesday, May 4, at 7pm at the Keyll Darree lecture theatre in Noble’s Hospital.

Keyll Darree is located opposite the main entrance to Noble’s Hospital.

Speaking at the meeting will be Pam Makin, senior sister in Renal Services at Noble’s Hospital.

Any Noble’s Hospital staff members who would like to attend would be very welcome.

For more information call MKPA chairman Phil Worthington on 390110 or visit the charity’s Facebook page.

The launch of Rushen Heritage Trust’s interactive heritage walk has been delayed because of technical issues.

The walk – from Port St Mary to the Sound – uses an app which enables smartphone users to view images and films or listen to audio about the heritage of the area and was meant to be launched on April 30. The app uses iBeacon technology and this is the first time that this technology has been used for an outdoor heritage walk anywhere in the world.

‘We’re really pleased with the quality of the content that our Story of the Land volunteers have been researching (for the app) over the last few months,’ said Hugh Davidson, director of the trust. ‘As we put the finishing touches in place - and finally tested them - we found some minor technical issues. We are confident these will be resolved, but it will take a couple of weeks.’

The new launch date is at 10am on Monday, May 30, at the Sound café, also in attendance will be five-times parish walk winner Robbie Callister. The team will give demonstrations on how to download and use the app, which is free.

Visit www.isleofmanwalks.com. 


A young man who left a trail of destruction in his wake as he walked down a high street systematically booting shop windows in, has had his court case adjourned by magistrates.

Ben David Moss, of Reginald Mews in Douglas admitted kicking shop windows along Strand Street in Douglas, including Clinton Cards, Superdrug, Spar and one other.

Barry Swain, for the prosecution, said the vandalism occurred in the small hours of January 11, and was picked up when Moss was spotted on CCTV putting the boot in.

Mr Swain said no figure had been placed on the damage but the sum was ‘likely to be substantial’.

Representing Moss, who admitted four offences of criminal damage, Stephen Wood said the 23-year-old could not believe his behaviour.

‘He has a good job and makes an open offer of compensation,’ he said.

The case was adjourned to June 7 for an all options report before sentencing by the Deputy High Bailiff. He was bailed to his home address, on a £500 recognisance.