Man recently released from prison has avoided being sent back for assaulting police

A man recently released from prison after serving 10 years for killing a visitor in a car crash has avoided being sent back for assaulting two police officers.

Donovan Bradley Kitching of Clarence Terrace in Douglas appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse.

The 39 year old had denied two counts of assaulting officers and one of resisting police but changed his pleas to guilty days before his trial.

Prosecutor Barry Swain played body-worn camera footage showing police at Kitching’s home on January 12 to arrest him over an unrelated allegation.

He began struggling with the officers, grabbing two by their throats and causing minor injuries.

The court heard he’s on licence until August after early release from a 10-year jail term for causing the death of 62 year old Gwen Valentine by dangerous driving on the Tholt-y-Will Road in April 2014.

Noting he’d found work with a construction firm, Mrs Hughes said she’d suspend a nine- month prison term for two years during which he’ll be supervised by the probation service.

Kitching was also ordered to pay £250 compensation to each officer he assaulted and £800 in costs.