Inmates' 'mental health' plea granted

Thirty-three-year-old sees four additional charges suspended

A series of charges brought against a prisoner have been dropped on mental health grounds.

Alistair John Cowin appeared at Douglas courthouse via video link from Jurby yesterday.

The 33 year-old was accused of disorderly or threatening behaviour on several occasions in March and April last year while serving a sentence for other crimes.

But a psychiatric report found Cowin had been suffering from ongoing mental health issues - prompting Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes to suspend all four charges.

His current sentence will continue to run as normal.