Isle of Man Darts Organisation holds its annual general meeting this Sunday, October 2 at the Manor in Willaston commencing at 8pm.
Any proposals for changes to the existing rules or for membership of the new committee to be placed in writing to General Secretary, Isle of Man Darts Organisation, c/o 9 Reayrt Lhean, Castletown, IM9 IHQ or by email john.denny@manx.net
All members are welcome to attend.
Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly has pulled out of the race to become the next Chief Minister.
Rushen MHK Mr Skelly announced today that having considered the matter over the weekend, he has decided against standing.
That leaves three candidates who have confirmed that they will be putting their names forward - Howard Quayle, Alfred Cannan and LibVan leader Kate Beecroft.
Nominations have to be submitted by 5pm today.
Results for the Garff constituency could have been different but for the intervention of a sharp-eyed observer who spotted two uncounted ballot boxes after a preliminary result had been reached.
The discovery threw a spanner in the works for candidate Andrew Smith who, until that point, looked set to take the second seat in the new two-candidate constituency.
The initial count produced at 11.20pm showed Martyn Perkins polling the most votes with Andrew Smith just 18 votes ahead of Daphne Caine in the battle for the remaining seat.
A recount had already been requested when the boxes were discovered after being spotted, apparently unopened, by one of Mrs Caine’s observers. When the extra votes were factored into the equation, Mr Perkins remained in the lead but the positions between Mr Smith and Mrs Caine were reversed with Mrs Caine now leading by 20 votes.
This time it was the turn of Mr Smith to request a recount but this saw Mrs Caine’s share of the votes increase to 1,270, 23 ahead of Mr Smith.
Mr Perkins polled the most votes at 1,767, photographer Andrew Barton took the penultimate place with 346 votes and publican Nigel Dobson, who is facing a drink driving charge but missed the count through family commitments, came last with 231 votes.
More than 20 people were involved in counting the votes at the Laxey Working Men’s Institute, where ballot papers were sorted initially into bundles of 25, each with a cover sheet on which a tally was kept of the number of votes polled by each candidate on each slip in the bundle.
They operated under the guidance of returning officer Winston Taylor, who confirmed a number of the ballot papers had been overlooked in the initial count but fortunately were spotted and accounted for before the final result was announced.
Mr Barton said despite losing, the whole experience had been ‘fabulous’ and everything from the interviews with media to the requisition meeting had been enjoyable.
But turning to Facebook, Mr Barton said: ‘Gross lack of attention to detail, added to the many other gross negligences from IOM Government regarding the organisation of this General Election, is staggering.’
A computer error was blamed after 5,693 voters received polling cards in Ramsey which named the wrong polling station in the run up to polling day. Replacement cards with the correct details on had to be issued.
Back in Laxey, an expectant crowd outside the institute had dwindled to a determined few, including former Garff incumbent and Tynwald speaker Steve Rodan, when the result was finally announced at around 1.05am.
It takes great courage for any boxer to line up against a fellow fighter in the ring.
But Mark Watson showed more courage than most when he took part in the Thriller in the Villa boxing event on Friday, five days after his stepson Jake died following an asthma attack.
The event, which was raising money for Hospice Isle of Man, was dedicated to the 14-year-old St Ninian’s High School student. The audience stood up to give Jake a round of applause and tributes were paid to him before the 30 volunteers went head-to-head.
Mark, of Westmoreland Road, in Douglas, said: ‘I started training last October/November. A lot of hard work had gone into it.
‘When I came home on Monday evening my wife Leanna said to me: “You still need to take part.”’
He added: ‘Jake would have loved it. It’s all he had talked about since I decided I was taking part.
‘Every night Jake used to ask me if I was going boxing. And when I got back he would ask me how it went and if I had been punched. When I said I had he just used to laugh at me! The original plan was for all of the kids to stay at home and watch it on the laptop.’
Proud Scotsman Mark faced Englishman Warren Spencer. Mark walked out to a bagpiper playing unofficial anthem ‘Scotland The Brave’.
And his shorts, paid for by his employer Jack Frost, featured the Scottish Saltire flag.
Family members came over to the island from Scotland to lend their support.
Mark said: ‘I lost on a split decision. The result didn’t go my way but I’m happy with the outcome. Warren was the better fighter.’
He added: ‘I’m pleased I went through with it.I was already going through so many different emotions.
‘I didn’t have any emotion going into it. I wasn’t nervous, there was no apprehension.
‘When I got into the ring that’s when my exhaustion hit. I hadn’t been sleeping that well.’
JustGiving page ‘Jake’s Story’, set up on Monday evening, hours after Jake was pronounced dead, reached £1,000 in 24 hours and now stands at more than £1,950.
Jake’s memory will live on at next year’s event as Team Douglas has been renamed Team Jake. Mark thanked everyone for their ‘overwhelming support’.
Hospice community fundraiser Steven Downward said: ‘The atmosphere was incredible and we would like to thank Chris Mooney and his team for making it happen.
‘All boxers were fantastic and have worked tirelessly to raise money for Hospice Isle of Man and Rebecca House.’
Local snowboarder Brandon Cain embarks on his Great Britain career this week when he heads to Austria for six months to train and compete in European events.
The 18-year-old is a member of the British snowboardcross junior squad and his time in Austria will be spent training with the GB team and competing in various events.
The teenager is a 12-time BMX champion in the island and has been ninth in the UK rankings for BMX racing, so he has plenty of experience of extreme sports.
He has been snowboarding for six years and is excited about the new challenge he is about to face. ‘I thoroughly enjoy snowboarding no matter what the weather or snow conditions, and the training camp is a great chance to learn new skills and techniques.’
Last year Cain was on the Team GB snowboardcross coaching and selection camp in Austria and impressed sufficiently to make the British Ski and Snowboard Athletes programme this year.
He will begin competing in European events from late November.
While training abroad, Brandon is to receive support from Sure who have provided him with a phone to use in Austria, enabling him to stay in touch with family and friends back home in the island.
Sure’s PR and marketing manager, Sarah Jarvis, said: ‘At Sure we’re always keen to support our local sporting talent and back TT riders, cyclists and our primary school sports programme.
‘Brandon is an enormously talented young man and we’d like to congratulate him on his selection to the British team.
‘The phone will allow him to keep in touch with family and friends back here in the island and let them know how he’s getting on at the training camp.’
Rushen MHK and now former Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson has been elected unopposed to the position of Speaker in the House of Keys.
Arbory, Castletown and Malew MHK Graham Cregeen was appointed Acting Speaker.
Both positions were uncontested.
The appointment of Mr Watterson, who succeeds Steve Rodan as Speaker, was met with a round of applause. He said: ‘It’s a daunting task and I have big shoes to fill.
‘The people have voted for reform. Our job is to work together to realise that aim.’
He was nominated by LibVan leader Kate Beecroft who said that at the ‘ripe old age’ of 36, Mr Watterson was now, with Mr Cregeen, the longest serving member of the House.
The election of the Speaker was the first duty for the new Keys, including the 12 first timers, who were officially sworn in this morning.
Following boundary reform and the creation of 12 two-seat constituencies, the seating arrangement in the Keys has been changed, with members seated according to their constituencies in alphabetical order, Arbory to Rushen, and with the first placed candidate sitting in front and the second placed on the bench behind.
Before the election of the Speaker, there were not enough places at the benches to go round and Onchan LibVan MHK Julie Edge had to sit in a messenger’s chair before she could take up a seat vacated by Mr Watterson.
With MLCs, former president Noel Cringle and outgoing Chief Minister Allan Bell in the public gallery, it emphasised the contrast between the new faces in the Keys and the political old guard.
There are three candidates for the position of chief minister.
Nominations closed at 5pm today.
The three candidates are LibVan leader Kate Beecroft (Douglas South), Alfred Cannan (Michael) and Middle MHK Howard Quayle.
They have until 5pm on Thursday to submit their written policy statements.
Mrs Beecroft has been proposed by Lawrie Hooper and seconded by Julie Edge
Mr Cannan has been proposed by Chris Thomas and seconded by Martyn Perkins.
Mr Quayle has been proposed by David Ashford and seconded by Ray Harmer.
The election itself takes place at a special sitting of Tynwald next Tuesday (October 4).
The new House of Keys will look very different following an election that not only saw five women elected but was also notable for its huge exodus of experienced politicians.
Some, such as Chief Minister Allan Bell, Treasury Minister Eddie Teare, Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin and former Liberal Vannin leader Peter Karran chose to step down after decades in Manx politics, while for others it was an unscheduled end to their career.
But five sitting members were rejected by the voters (see opposite page).
For those former MHKs, there is life after Keys, according to others who have been there before them.
Former Treasury Minister Anne Craine was not re-elected to her Ramsey constituency in 2011, which she described as an ‘extraordinary’ feeling in the immediate aftermath.
‘You certainly have to give it time,’ she said.
‘One minute you are extremely busy, not only fighting an election but with the job in government as well, and then it’s as if the rug has been pulled away. I had extremely good friends and family to help pick up the pieces and move on. Our family slogan is ‘Forward ever, backward never’.’
She described her political career as a marvellous experience . ‘I’m grateful I had the opportunities that I did, but there is life beyond politics,’ she said.
Since 2009, the Tynwald Members’ Resettlement Grant Scheme allows for any member who is below retirement age and served a minimum of two years to receive six months’ salary if they are not re-elected to Keys or Legislative Council.
However, the money has to be repaid should the member be elected again within six months.
Mrs Craine said the scheme was an important one, particularly for those people with mortgages and bills to pay.
‘I think sometimes you are slightly tainted as an ex-MHK when you are seeking new employment. People do get re-elected later on, of course,’ she said.
From a personal point of view, she said she was unlikely to seek re-election, instead enjoying travelling, gardening and spending time with grandchildren and with her friends and family.
Her sentiments were echoed by former Onchan MHK Adrian Earnshaw, who also failed to get re-elected in 2011.
He described it as a ‘seismic blow’.
‘It’s like falling off a cliff,’ he said.
‘One minute you are going at 100mph and the next minute the whole thing just collapses. It’s not planned. You plan to do another five years in office and you work enormously hard with the election campaign.
‘But I have family and friends who were supportive and I think I moved on without too much difficulty.’
Currently he says he’s enjoying retirement, exercising his dog, working with the Hailwood Foundation charity and enjoying other hobbies.
‘Being an MHK can be a thankless job and to leave the job can be liberating. I’m content with my life now,’ he said.
The ninth Julie Brew Memorial Walk takes place in the west of the island on Sunday.
The 10-mile event is organised by the Western Athletic Club and held alongside the Western 10 Road Run.
It is held in memory of Julie, a popular Peel hairdresser and keen walker, who died suddenly in 2008 of a previously undetected heart condition.
Signing on takes place at the House of Manannan from 8am, with walkers getting under way at 9.15am and runners setting off at 10.15am.
This year all funds raised will be donated to Special Olympics Isle of Man and the Manx Diabetic Group.
For more information, and to download an entry form, visit westernac.org
Smokers are being encouraged to give up their habit next month.
The Department of Health and Social Care is backing Stoptober, a campaign to get smokers to quit for 28 days from October 1.
By joining in, people can access a range of free support from the island’s free stop smoking service, Quit4You and from Stoptober: including a free Quit Kit as well as support through apps, Facebook and Twitter.
Health chiefs say those who make it 28 days smokefree are five times more likely to quit for good.
People are 34 per cent more likely to quit smoking if a co-worker also quits so workplaces are being encouraged to get involved this year.
Quit4You is offering free one hour sessions in workplaces where 10 or more staff would like help to quit smoking.
Anita Imberger, health psychologist, said: ‘Quit4You is offering plenty of proven support to help you every step of the way.’
Free Quit Kits are available by confidentially signing up to the island’s ‘Smokefree Pledge’ at Quit4You.gov.im The kit includes a Personal Quit Planner designed for the Isle of Man, with a 28 day progress chart packed with top tips.
To book a free Quit4You session in the workplace, or for more information about clinics, visit Quit4You.gov.im, phone 642404.
A 28-year-old man from the UK has been fined £800 for three driving-related offences.
Archie Gaden, of Oddington Road, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham, did not attend court but sent a postal admission to driving with no licence, driving without due care and attention, and having no insurance.
Gaden also had his licence endorsed with eight penalty points for the due care offence.
Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on the Tuesday of TT practice week, June 2, at 1.50pm, Gaden was riding his motorbike in Bride displaying ‘L’ plates.
As he reached Ballagarrett he went around a left-hand bend at 40mph and crossed the centre line.
A man was riding a bike in the other direction, with his wife as a pillion passenger and collided with Gaden.
There was a near head-on collision and both riders came off their bikes as well as the passenger.
The man suffered lacerations to his leg, a cut chest and bruises while his wife suffered soft tissue injuries to her leg.
Gaden told police: ‘I was coming up the hill and went over the centre line and crashed. I was unaware you need a full bike licence to ride in the Isle of Man roads so my insurance may be void.’
Ms Carroon confirmed to the court that riding on Isle of Man roads on a provisional UK licence meant that Gaden’s vehicle licence and insurance were invalidated.
In written mitigation sent to the court Gaden said: ‘I am genuinely sorry for any offence I’ve committed. I work on my family’s farm as a tractor driver and am two-thirds of the way through taking my HGV licence. My licence is important to me.’
Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said: ‘Driving without due care while uninsured or the holder of a licence is a serious offence. But I note you did have insurance, but it was invalid as you are unable to drive on a provisional UK licence in the Isle of Man.’
The new administration may be considered remarkable not just for the number of new MHKs but for the number of women returned this time.
A total of five female MHKs is apparently unprecedented in the history of the Keys, certainly no existing members including the Chief Minister, can recall anything similar.
The previous parliament had just two women, Brenda Cannell, who stepped down prior to the election, and Kate Beecroft. Before that, in recent years, there was former Education Minister and Treasury Minister, Anne Craine, and before that Hazel Hannan, who was Peel MHK until 2006.
Even with five female MHKs out of 24, that’s still less than one third. To reflect the wider population one would expect just over 50 per cent.
Chief Minister Allan Bell said the number of female MHKs elected was an all-time record.
‘There is a lot of nonsense spoken about the system working against women,’ he said. ‘I don’t believe we need quotas. If you get the right people with the right policies prepared to put in enough work they will get elected.’
Daphne Caine, who was elected to represent the Garff constituency, said she believed the proportion of female MHKs would now be similar to the representation in the UK at Westminster.
‘I think previously we were more in line with the Democratic Republic of Congo, or Iran,’ she said.
‘But it’s still way below what would be representative of the population. I think a lot of women just don’t want to put themselves through the bear pit that is Tynwald.’
She said she hoped greater female representation might bring a sharper, more succinct focus to some of the debates.
‘I think that among all the members – not just the women – there is a focus on wanting to get things done and work together for the Isle of Man,‘ she said.
Mrs Craine, who lost her Ramsey seat in the 2011 election, said she felt the Keys was no place to make a distinction between men and women, every one was simply a ‘member’ on an equal footing.
‘I think when people make a big issue of it there’s a danger of discrediting women. Sometimes the people who shout loudest about these things run the risk of being dismissed as extremists. We are all human beings.
‘I’m very pleased so many women have been elected and I am sure they will bring hard work, dedication, commitment and common sense to the role.’
She said she thought it was perceived as a difficult working environment by many women and that any positive discrimination to bring women into politics would simply undermine the candidates. Instead she said more education about politics in schools could be the key.
Kate Beecroft, who was elected as a new member in 2011, offered the following advice to any new member: ‘It’s a steep learning curve. But if you are not sure about anything, other MHKs or the Clerk of Tynwald should be able to give advice. Learn your standing orders.
‘But above all, stay true to yourself. Retain the passion and commitment that made you stand in the first place. Remember what you offered to the electorate and don’t lose sight of that.
‘And don’t be worried about making a mistake. We all do that so don’t let it put you off making a point.’
Plans for a mobile food retail unit on Douglas Head have been refused by planners.
Coastline Catering Limited applied (16/00512/C) to government planners to change the use of a parking space on Douglas Head Road, near the turning area, for the retail unit.
But the application was turned down, with planners saying it was contrary to the Isle of Man Strategic Plan.
In the decision notice, it states: ‘The siting of a mobile catering trailer, situated in such a prominent location would create a visually incongruous feature in the street scene which would detract from the character of the area and have a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the Douglas Head area.’
It continues: ‘The use of the car parking space to accommodate the mobile trailer and the nature of the hot food business and its position would encourage indiscriminate short-term on-street parking in the turning head at the top of Douglas Head Road to the detriment of highway safety.’
In the application, it outlined their intention was to sell hot dogs, burgers, fries and salads.
The self-contained unit would be equipped with hot plate grills, microwave and bain-marie.
The plan was to trade there initially for six months, 11.30am to 6.30pm each day, subject to demand.
Douglas Council opposed the proposal saying the site was not zoned for retail use.
They submitted that while there would be ‘potential amenity benefits to users of the public open space, these do not outweigh the planning considerations’.
Meanwhile, an application by Colin Kinnin for a mobile snack van to be sited at the Point of Ayre (16/00513/C), submitted at a similar time to Coastline Catering’s application for Douglas Head, was later withdrawn.
An international payment processing company headed by an island-based businessman says it will vigorously defend itself against allegations of money laundering made by the US Department of Treasury.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control last week listed the PacNet Group as a ‘significant transnational criminal organization’.
It claimed PacNet had a ‘lengthy history of money laundering by knowingly processing payments on behalf of a wide range of mail fraud schemes that target victims in the United States and throughout the world’.
The president, partner, shareholder or corporate director in several PacNet companies is Paul Davis, who owns or controls Manx Rare Breeds Ltd based in the Isle of Man.
The US authorities claim PacNet Air, also located in the Isle of Man and a subsidiary or affiliate company of PacNet Services Limited, was used to move illicit bulk cash within Europe.
PacNet Services has denied all the allegations. It has stopped processing payments for direct mail companies.
It said in a statement on its website: ‘We absolutely and categorically reject the allegations made against us regarding our processing for direct mail campaigns.
‘We will vigorously defend ourselves against these unproven allegations which we only learned about yesterday through media reports.
‘As a result of this investigation, it is our understanding that several associated companies have been added to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) list which we are also working to address.
‘PacNet has a rigorous compliance programme in place. We follow all global standards in client due diligence and continually update policies, procedures and training.
‘In an effort to better safeguard the public, the company decided today to immediately stop processing payments for direct mail companies. Affected clients are being notified.’
The US Department of Treasury described PacNet, which has operations in Canada, Ireland and the British Isles and subsidiaries or affiliates in 15 other countries, as the ‘third-party payment processor of choice for perpetrators of a wide range of mail fraud schemes’.
It claimed PacNet had a near ‘20-year history of knowingly processing payments’ relating to fraudulent lottery and other mail fraud solicitation schemes that victimised the elderly and vulnerable and resulting in the loss of millions of dollars to US consumers.
The Isle of Man has enjoyed economic growth of 5 per cent over the last 12 months, government figures reveal.
But, as always there were winners and loser, with some sectors - notably e-gaming - racing ahead while some declined.
Our Gross Domestic Product reached £4.51 billion in 2014/15 after real growth of 5 per cent during the year, according to the latest national income report published.
The report, from the Economic Affairs unit of the Cabinet Office, confirms that this was the 32nd successive year of growth for the island’s economy.
Key results include:
Growth in GDP of 4.5 per cent, or 5 per cent in real terms (compared to 4.5 per cent in 2013/14).
Growth in Gross National Product of 0.9 per cent, or 1.4 per cent in real terms (compared with 5.1 per cent in 2013/14).
E-gaming grew by 22 per cent and insurance rose by 7 per cent respectively in real terms. E-gaming remains the largest economic sector at 19.5 per cent, followed by insurance on 14.9 per cent.
A reduction in losses incurred by companies from the tourist accommodation sector has allowed it to strongly bounce back, with growth of 80 per cent compared to 2013/14.
But agriculture shrank by 21 per cent, manufacturing dropped 19 per cent, and transport and communications fell by a quarter.
Chief Minister Allan Bell: ‘The headline figures are reassuring, showing growth returning to pre 2008/09 levels and confirming the overall strength of the island’s economy. However, it is clear that some sectors are not doing so well and the reality of a two-speed economy has to be recognised.’
The accounts contained in the report relate to the year 2014/15 and do not necessarily reflect the current position of the island’s economy.
The annual Mike Henthorn memorial match takes place at Port-e-Chee on Saturday afternoon.
The inaugural fixture between Mike’s former club Vagabonds and Douglas’ veterans teams was played at Ballafletcher last year and the intention is to alternate the venue annually between the two clubs each year.
All island veterans are welcome to play in the match which kicks off at 2pm.
A buffet will follow afterwards and all monies raised on the day will go towards Cruse Bereavement Care.
Contact Adie Kinrade by emailing adrian@shenvalla.com or Sprout (tonyws@robinsons.im) for more information or if you are interested in playing.
The Manx health service is failing in a number of areas, independent inspectors have found.
The West Midlands Quality Review Service has published its sixth report as part of the external reviews of our health services.
The areas in which it expressed concerns included:
Privacy and dignity and infection control risk in the dialysis unit at Noble’s Hospital
Screening for atrial fibrillation in stroke patients
Treatment for patients with suspected stroke at weekends, which was inadequate
Waiting times for ultrasound scans, which were six month
Appropriateness of on-island facilities for children in need of acute inpatient mental health care
Testing procedures for staff alarms
The risk of ligature points in Grianagh Court
Heating system in Grianagh Court
Inspectors visited the island in April.
Among the areas inspected were Noble’s Hospital’s renal, stroke and imaging services; Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital’s inpatient care (Martin Ward), the minor injuries unit, and the operating theatres; Mental health service: inpatient care for older people (Grianagh Court), crisis response and home treatment, and community mental health services; Adult community nursing.
The review details good and poor practice and the Manx health services respond in the report.
Reviewers assess different areas.
For instance, renal services at Noble’s Hospital were ‘not fit for purpose’ the review concluded.
‘The dialysis unit was, in essence, a thoroughfare for people, including patients going to the clinic.
‘Patiends on dialysis could be observed and conversations in the clinic could be overheard.
‘The clinic room was an office with a couch and, was used for multiple purposes and was not properly cleaned.’
The reviewers said there was an immediate infection risk.
The Manx health services has taken action to try to improve matters.
Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK welcomed the findings of the report, which has the highest level of compliance with the quality standards of any of the reports to date.
He concentrated on the postives in the report.
He said: ‘Once again the findings of this latest review demonstrate that there are many aspects of our healthcare services the community can be proud of, but that there remains room for improvement and opportunities to learn.
‘A common theme since the first report in April 2014 is praise for staff. Each report has noted their dedication, professionalism and compassion – demonstrating the commitment of our workforce and their desire to ensure that good quality care for patients is at the core of everything they do.
‘It is important that we continue to learn from the findings and recommendations of the report and use these to carefully assess future service developments against our finite resources and the objectives of our five-year health and social care strategy.’
Some of the highlights in the report include the Martin Ward at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital where reviewers found ‘staffing levels were high and staff were working collaboratively to deliver high quality care’. The hospital’s minor injuries unit was also praised for its high patient satisfaction and short waiting times.
The adult community nursing team was recognised as a well-led team with ‘motivated, enthusiastic staff’.
At Noble’s Hospital reviewers noted patients’ perceptions that renal services had improved considerably and that the ‘nurse staffing ratio on the dialysis units was very good’.
The stroke service was recognised for its ‘significant developments over the previous 10 years’, as well as its enthusiastic team and strong leadership.
The reviewing team also noted the work taking place to develop a single stroke unit for acute care and rehabilitation. Radiology services were found to be ‘well-organised, with a forward thinking management team’ and well-equipped with a good asset replacement programme for equipment.
The mental health service’s staff were praised, with reviewers finding highly skilled staff ‘willing to “go the extra mile’ to provide good care” and a ‘good strategy… which had led to a good understanding of the gaps in service and the challenges faced’.
Read the report in full here
A reveller who lost the plot and ended up fighting with police outside a Dougas bar has been jailed by the Deputy High Bailiff.
Donna Louise Hardinge of Berry Woods Grove in Douglas, had, by her own admission, drunk eight brandy and cokes before ending up in a disagreement that culminated in her fighting, kicking, screaming foul language, spitting at police and threatening to stab them with an infected needle as she was bundled into the back of a black maria.
For the prosecution, James Robinson said police arrived at Bordellos soon after 1am to find the 43-year-old standing outside having been refused readmission to the bar by the bouncers.
She told them she had gone outside after a row with her partner.
But when they arrested her for being drunk and disorderly, the situation erupted into a full-scale fracas as she started screaming, swearing and threatening not only to attack police but also their families.
At one point she yelled at them: ‘I have HIV and I’m going to stab the needle in you.’
A torrent of abuse about HIV then followed before she spat over police as they attempted to arrest her.
Later, at the police station, she told them: ‘They were rude. She pushed me to the ground and hurt me.’
But the court heard the matter should be viewed against a background of problems troubling the defendant.
She was suffering post traumatic stress and undergoing counselling after an assault on her.
In addition, she was on medication at the time and she thought she had spotted her attacker in Bordellos.
She admitted assaulting the police.
Defending Hardinge, Darren Taubitz told the court she had been out for a friend’s leaving drinks when the incident happened on April 4.
‘She was extremely upset and the alcohol did not assist her thought process,’ Mr Taubitz said.
‘She was in a state of heightened emotion,’ he said, adding the defendant had not been out to a pub since she was attacked two Christmases ago.
Sentencing her, Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes noted the defendant did not have HIV and did not know why she had made the claim.
She noted at best the defendant had ‘selective recollection’ of the events and had chosen to drink despite being on medication.
She was sentenced to 12 weeks’ custody and a six month ban from licensed premises.
A dad of three from Braddan has scooped a £1m EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker.
Philip Poultney, 45, from Braddan, went into his local Shoprite supermarket in Douglas to check his ticket from the EuroMillions draw on September 20 and he discovered he was a millionaire.
Philip, who is married to Joanne, 36, said top of the shopping list now is a new and larger home for his family, together with a car for Joanne and a car for his eldest son, Lewis, 20.
More on this story in the Manx Independent. As this story was uploaded on to iomtoday.co.im one of our reporters and a photographer were speaking to Philip about his won.
Manx Independent readers are being asked who they want to see as the island’s new chief minister.
In Thursday’s paper there will be a poll conducted using a cut-out-and-post form.
The newspaper is asking whether readers back Kate Beecroft, Alfred Cannan or Howard Quayle - or whether they’d rather another member of Tynwald took the reins.
The Manx Independent is read in more than a quarter of homes in the Isle of Man.
Readers of local newspapers are more likely than others to take a keen interest in current affairs and vote, so the outcome will certainly interest nembers of Tynwald.
The Manx Independent is in the shops from Thursday morning.