A man has admitted stealing jackets from a Douglas store on three separate occasions to fund his cocaine habit.

Richard David Bell, Aka Fowler, of Fairfield Terrace, Douglas, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft and also admitted breaching a combination order by failing to attend community service appointments.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court how Bell was seen leaving Millets in Castle Street on January 28 without paying for a jacket worth £215.

He put the jacket in a bag before leaving the shop.

On March 5 Bell was again seen leaving Millets, this time with a jacket worth £130. This time he was seen throwing a plastic bag over a security gate activating the alarm before making off with the jacket.

Bell was back again on March 12, this time stealing two jackets worth a total of £170. He was approached by security staff but ran off.

The 29-year-old was identified by CCTV footage and later arrested at his home.

When interviewed by police Bell said he was stealing coats to fund a coke habit. He said that he would exchange the jackets for cocaine but refused to say who he dealt with.

The court heard that Bell was sentenced to 120 hours community service for other offences imposed in February 2018 at the Court of General Gaol Delivery but had only completed 30 hours so far.

Bell had missed five appointments and probation services asked that the order be revoked and he be resentenced.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that, as the order had been imposed at the higher court, it could only be revoked at that court.

Mrs Hughes committed the case to the Court of General Gaol Delivery with the thefts to be dealt with at the same time.

Bell will appear at the higher court on April 15.

Bail continues with conditions that Bell reside at his home address, not enter Duke Street, Castle Street, or Strand Street, and not leave the island without court permission.