An intruder was punched by the occupier of a house he was trying to burgle.

Lee Cowell, 44, whose address was given as the Isle of Man prison, admitted committing burglary with intent to steal.

He will be sentenced on December 21 at the Court of General Gaol Delivery where he is due to be sentenced for another, previous burglary.

Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how, on October 10 at 4.45pm, the resident of a property at Lheannag Park in Douglas was in his house when he heard a loud knocking on his door.

He didn’t answer and he heard the person continue to knock four times. He heard a noise inside the property and when he went to investigate saw Cowell bending down by the TV. He said that he instinctively punched Cowell then asked him who he was.

Cowell said: ’Where’s John?’ When the man said he didn’t know who he was talking about, Cowell said: ’Right I’m going to go then.’

Cowell was later arrested by police and had an injury to his face which he said had been caused by him hitting his eye on a light switch when he was drunk. Cowell was picked out in an identity parade by the man. Ms Braidwood said Cowell had ’many previous convictions for burglaries’.

No bail application was made and Cowell was remanded in custody.