Man tried to convince police he was his brother

False details given following arrest

A Castletown man who tried to lie to police about his identity was quickly found out because officers already knew him, a court’s heard.

Thirty-five-year-old Michael Gregory Frank Ashton of The Courtyard appeared before magistrates at Douglas courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to obstructing the police in the execution of their duty, but a further charge of possessing an offensive weapon was withdrawn by the prosecution.

The court heard Ashton had been arrested on 6 June over an unrelated investigation and taken to police headquarters shortly before 10.30pm.

Prosecution advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the bench police asked Ashton to identify himself, but gave his brother’s name, address and date of birth.

However, arresting officers had dealt with Ashton before and knew he was lying – he admitted trying to deceive them when they challenged him.

Ashton’s advocate Paul Glover told the hearing it had been a spur of the moment decision and his client regretted it.

Magistrates said police knew full well who Ashton was, and fined him £250 as well as ordering him to pay £125 towards prosecution costs.