Man accused of stealing car, driving it while banned, and crashing it into field before setting his dog on police officer

A man's appeared in court accused of stealing a car, driving it while banned, and crashing it into a field before setting his dog on a police officer and refusing to cooperate with drug and drink-driving tests.

James Marcus Doherty of Murrays Road in Douglas appeared before Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood at Douglas Courthouse.

The 39 year old denies wounding, driving while disqualified, taking a car without its owners consent, failing to report a crash, and failing to provide samples for drug and alcohol tests on July 17 as well as possessing ketamine on May 27.

Doherty is said to have been drinking before taking the car from Robert Stephen Close in Douglas, crashing it on the Creg ny Baa Back Road and making off, leaving a passenger with a broken neck and back.

When officers went to his home to arrest him, he's said to have ordered his dog to attack and one female officer was bitten on her thigh.

Mrs Braidwood remanded him in custody and he's next due to appear in court at a pre-trial review hearing on September 19.