A 32-year-old man who breached Covid-19 isolation requirements after arriving in the island has been sentenced to 10 days in prison.

But David Christopher Rowson has already served the time since his arrest after being in custody for five days, the equivalent of the 10-day sentence.

The offence also put Rowson in breach of an early release licence relating to an 11-year sentence imposed in 2014 for drug-related matters.

Prosecuting advocate Rachael Braidwood told the court that Rowson, who lives at Drury Terrace in Douglas, arrived on the ferry from Heysham on July 17 and was issued with a direction notice to isolate.

However, later that same day he was seen back at the Sea Terminal getting out of a car, which was being driven by another man.

When quizzed he said that he intended to return to the UK and had only returned to the island to collect money and clothes.

no comment

During a police interview Rowson gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.

He appeared in court via video link from the prison and was said to have tested negative for Covid.

Defence advocate Peter Taylor said: ’This is a breach at the lower end of the scale. He met one other person he shouldn’t have and went back to the Sea Terminal.

’The breach is not going straight to his address.’

Mr Taylor asked magistrates to impose either a conditional discharge or 10 days’ custody so that his client would be released straight away.

The advocate said that Rowson had moved to the UK and tried to get benefits but would now apply for benefits here.

He continued: ’Mr Rowson will now be going to his mum’s home in Jurby until his second test in nine days’ time.’

The court heard that probation officers would also be seeing him shortly.

Magistrates agreed to sentence Rowson to 10 days so that he was time served.