A Kirk Michael man accused of stabbing a police officer has been acquitted.

Forty year-old William David Sayle, of Slieu Curn Park, was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to PC Kevin Newburn, following an incident in the village last October.

Earlier in the week, Deemster Doyle directed the jury to find Mr Sayle not guilty of a separate offence of false imprisonment following a successful submission by senior defence advocate Paul O’Neill that there was no case to answer.

Mr O'Neill said his client was extremely relieved with the verdict and that Mr Sayle’s trust in the criminal justice system in the Island had been vindicated.

He continues to regret the incident in which the injury was caused to PC Newburn but had always maintained he did not intend to cause the officer any harm.

Mr Sayle will return to court on November 3 to be sentenced for an assault on a police constable who received a minor injury during the same incident.

(Picture: The courthouse in Douglas).