A Peel man has been fined £300 for stealing a bottle of perfume worth £43 from Boots the chemist in Douglas.

Joseph Dennis Avery, of Castle Apartments, pleaded guilty to a theft charge and was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs on top.

Chair of the magistrates Julian Ashcroft said while passing sentence: ’It’s going to be an expensive bottle of perfume.’

The court heard how, on March 3, police were called to the Strand Street chemist by the store’s security staff.

They were shown CCTV footage of Avery leaving the store without paying for a bottle of perfume.

A stock check confirmed that the bottle of perfume was missing and that no sales of the item had been made that week.

Avery was spoken to at Peel police station and admitted the theft saying: ’I hold my hands up.’

During a police interview he said: ’I apologise to Boots.’

Officers went to Avery’s house and he handed over the bottle of perfume.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said that he felt the case was suitable to remain in the magistrates’ court as it was a low value item.

Mr Taylor said: ’He does not have an extensive record. He does have past convictions, but none for theft.

’I would suggest this is a one-off. At the time Mr Avery was having very severe problems in his personal life.

’He was wandering around and found himself in Boots. He had the perfume in his hand and decided to walk out with it. When he got home he regretted it.

’He gave back the bottle three days later. He doesn’t know why he took it.’

Avery will pay the fine at a rate of £10 per fortnight.