AN ISLE of Wight man who attacked five different women — one of them a police officer — has avoided being jailed.

Alan Cassford, 20, of Pitt Street, Ryde, was given a suspended sentence.

He was given a four month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court on July 20.

Previously, he had admitted six charges of assault by beating, one of common assault and five of causing criminal damage.

The offences took place between January 11 and March 1.

Cassford had previously missed a string of appointment opportunities with the Probation Service in the preparation of a pre-sentencing report, to allow Island magistrates the opportunity to assess whether he should be imprisoned.

For Cassford, Oscar Vincent said his client claimed because he worked split shifts at the Culver Haven public house, he had missed phone calls from probation during periods when he was not allowed to have his phone switched on and he had called his solicitor's office to inform them of that.

Magistrates found that he should serve his sentence within the community rather than in prison.

He is to work with the probation service within an 18 month supervision period.

Cassford must also pay compensation of £1,000 in total, split between his victims.