A 51-year-old Douglas man has been given a 12-month conditional discharge for being found drunk in a public place and attempting to breach a licensing ban.

Ralph John Walker, of Derby Road, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that Walker is currently under a licensing ban until September.

Despite this he tried to buy a four-pack of Carling from EVF garage on Peel Road on June 20 at 3am.

He was refused the sale after staff recognised him from the banning book.

On July 2 police were called to Granville Street in Douglas where they found Walker slumped over a bench next to a smashed bottle.

Also found was a two-litre bottle of Strongbow cider which had less than a quarter left in it.

Walker was said to be slurring his words and had glazed eyes.

Mr Robinson said that the defendant had a long history of alcohol-related offences and was currently the subject of a probation order and an alcohol ban.

A probation report said that Walker was unable to remember the events and had long standing issues with alcohol.

The report said that he had built up a good relationship with his probation officer but there were no ’quick fixes’.

Walker’s drinking was said to have increased recently after a bereavement.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said that his client had spent six days in custody after failing to turn up for court on July 13 when a warrant was issued for his arrest.

’He does come before the court a lot,’ said the advocate. ’But there are very few aggravating factors. He wasn’t rude to the police.

’Probation has been doing him good. He has great respect for his probation officer. He knows he can’t go in there stinking of ale.’

The court heard that Walker is currently paying fines until 2023 and High Bailiff Jayne Hughes warned him that there would come a time when any future fines would be made payable forthwith, meaning that he would go to jail if he could not pay them.

Mrs Hughes sentenced Walker to a 12-month conditional discharge for each offence, to run concurrently, and also issued a new licensing ban to run for 12 months with immediate effect.