A RYDE man who made misogynistic remarks to women, then dug his nails into a police officer's hand, during Cowes Week, learned his fate when he appeared before Isle of Wight magistrates.

Karl Stay-Sothcott, of Star Street, Ryde, admitted assaulting a police officer, by beating, and a public order offence, in Cowes, on August 4, at an earlier hearing on November 8.

On that occasion, magistrates ordered a report on him to consider his sentence.

Police were called by Cowes Week security, following reports of a disturbance caused by Stay-Sothcott, in which he had made misogynistic comments towards two women, followed by vile insults, said Liz Miller, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court. 

As the officers intervened, Stay-Sothcott, 57, pointed his finger in the face of one and was pushed against a barrier, but fell back against it and it collapsed, leaving him flat on his back.

As the situation escalated and officers tried to lead him away, Stay-Sothcott dug his fingernails into the hand of PC Baxter, which caused a minor injury.

Stay-Sothcott, with no previous convictions, lost his job as a hospital porter with the NHS as a result of this incident, said his solicitor, Henry Farley.

The court heard he had expressed shame and remorse.

Magistrates handed him a year's probation, which includes 80 hours' unpaid work, together with an order to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.