A man who repeatedly broke Covid isolation rules has been jailed for 14 weeks.

Peter Francis Shields, of Kensington Road, Douglas, went to Newsbeat in Buck’s Road to get tea and toast on one occasion and to get a newspaper on another.

This was despite being required to self isolate after recently returning to the island and having support in place to do shopping for him.

Shields admitted two counts of failing to comply with Covid-19 restrictions.

He appeared in court in September last year for a similar offence.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told the 64-year-old: ’People who are selfish like you deserve any punishment they get.

’You ran the risk of spreading Covid at a time when we were just in the process of thinking we might be able to come out of restrictions.’

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court how Shields had returned to the island from the UK on April 7 and been advised about the self-isolation requirements at the Sea Terminal.

However, on April 10 at 10.51am police received information that he was not at his home and had left to go to the shop.

Officers went to his Kensington Road address and spoke to Shields.

The building was said to be a multi-occupancy house with a shared bathroom and kitchen but Shields was the only person residing there.

He was asked if he understood the self-isolation requirements and replied that he did.

Police then asked him if he had been out and Shields admitted that he had, saying he needed a paper and food.

When interviewed at police headquarters later he told police he went to Newsbeat for tea and toast and may have gone to Spar as well.

Shields admitted that he knew he could be infectious but claimed he had no-one to assist him. He then also admitted that he might have gone out again later if he had not been arrested.

Shields was released on bail, after appearing in court, with a requirement that his self-isolation continue.

But on April 15 police were again told that he was out and had been waiting outside Newsbeat in a queue.

This time a staff member had recognised him before he went into the shop and challenged him so he left.

Police went to his house again and this time found a sign which had been posted on his door saying: ’Peter, do not go out, you are in isolation.’

When police spoke to him he said: ’I went to the shop.’

After being arrested, during an interview at police headquarters, Shields again said that he understood the isolation requirements and that he knew they were not due to end until April 29.

He said that he knew he shouldn’t have gone out but that he had wanted to get a paper.

Shields said that after being recognised at Newsbeat he went to another shop and bought a sandwich and paper.

He then admitted that he had support to get shopping for him so he had not needed to leave the house.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty pleas.

Mr Glover said that Shields had since tested negative for coronavirus and had been on remand since April 15.

’We don’t seek any option other than custody, but we would ask that it be kept to the minimum,’ said the advocate.

’Mr Shields’ benefits have stopped and he will have to re-apply upon his release. He is receiving support from mental health services.’

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Shields: ’These offences are made more serious by the fact you committed a similar offence in September 2020. You were clearly aware of the importance of self-isolation.

’Despite being told at the Sea Terminal and by the police on April 10 and by the Deputy High Bailiff who dealt with you, and being told by the shop assistant and having a notice on your door, you chose to risk the health of everyone on the Isle of Man.

’I have noted that you have tested negative but you didn’t know that when you left your address.’

Shields was sentenced to six weeks for the April 10 offence and eight weeks for the April 15 one, to run consecutively.