A bungling burglar poured bleach over a cash till as he tried to cover his tracks but then left his DNA on the bottle.

Craig William Tiernan, of Bay View Road, Port St Mary, admitted committing three burglaries in just over a week.

The 35-year-old was sentenced to 17 months’ custody by Deemster Alastair Montgomerie but he has already served the time while on remand.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the Court of General Gaol Delivery how, on July 3, 2017, a burglary took place at Passion Hair and Beauty at Port Jack. A rear window was damaged and £566 was stolen from the shop.

DNA was found at the scene which later identified Tiernan as one of the men.

On the same night, takeaway Delissimo, also at Port Jack, was burgled with £650 being taken and a door damaged. CCTV footage showed two men in balaclavas at the scene, then leaving in a Peugeot estate.

On July 13, 2017, at 3.45am, Davison’s Ice Cream Parlour on Peel promenade was broken into with £199 being taken. CCTV footage there showed a man in a balaclava carrying a crowbar and torch enter the premises, damaging the side alley door.

As he left, he poured Toilet Duck over the cash tills and at his entry point in an effort to destroy evidence.

However, he left the Toilet Duck behind and DNA matching Tiernan’s was found on the bottle cap.

Damage totalling £3,000 was caused to the cash tills.

Cell phone analysis also placed Tiernan’s mobile phone in the area at the time of the crime.

Tiernan was interviewed and gave a ’no comment’ response to all questions. He then handed in a prepared statement denying the burglaries but saying that he had been to Davison’s as a customer.

Tiernan had initially pleaded not guilty to the burglary at Davison’s then that charge was superseded by one of conspiracy to commit eight burglaries, which he also denied.

A trial was set to take place but after discussions between the defence and prosecution Tiernan agreed to plead guilty to three burglaries.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’We would like to make the point that no person was present in any of the buildings. Mr Tiernan had relapsed and began to use heroin again. In his letter to the court he says getting money for drugs was the motivation for his crimes.

’His personal circumstances have considerably improved since the offences. He would say he is now completely drug free.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that Tiernan was now in full-time employment and had been offered a bricklaying apprenticeship.

’He fully accepts the inconvenience caused to the businesses by his actions,’ said the advocate.

’He has said he is willing to meet the proprietors face to face and explain his actions.’

Deemster Montgomerie told Tiernan: ’As you were well aware, the businesses you targeted were small businesses.

’By your actions you caused significant dispruption to those businesses. Disruption that they could ill afford.’

Tiernan was ordered to pay compensation of £566 to Passion, Hair and Beauty, £650 to Delissimo, and £3,199 to Davison’s Ice Cream, plus £500 prosecution costs.

He will pay the amounts at a rate of £15 per week with six months custody in default of payment.