A man burgled the restaurant he lived above and stole a bottle of rum after failing to open the cash till.

David McCallion, aged 26, climbed through a hatch into the New Manila on Queen’s Promenade after a night out.

McCallion pleaded guilty to burglary and will be sentenced on sentenced on June 6 after a probation report has been completed.

Prosecutor Roger Kane told the court how, on March 7, McCallion returned to his flat at around midnight after a night out.

He forced his way through a bolted serving hatch which led into the New Manila then climbed over a table into the restaurant.

McCallion, who now lives in Hope Street, Castletown, tried to force open the cash drawer with a table knife but was unsuccessful and eventually gave up. He then took a bottle of Captain Morgan rum and left through the hatch attempting to close it behind him.

The burglary wasn’t discovered until 5.30pm the following day when the manager arrived to open the restaurant.

The hatch was not locked but was undamaged.

The till’s cash drawer had scratches and dents on it.

McCallion was recognised by the manager when he viewed CCTV footage.

Police arrested McCallion and the bottle of rum was found in his room.

Alcoholic

When he was interviewed by police he admitted that he had entered the restaurant through the hatch but said he was trying to open the cash drawer to get a key card for his room.

He said he took the rum, which had a retail value of £91 and cost price of £30, but intended to pay for it the next day.

However the manager said that McCallion had made no attempt to pay.

The cash till damage was valued at £100.

Mr Kane said that it was not accepted by the prosecution that McCallion was looking for a key card.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said: ’There are two main points of mitigation.

’The first is that Mr McCallion has no previous convictions.

’The second is, he accepts he is an alcoholic and has engaged with the Drug and Alcohol Team.

’He resided above the Manila and regularly attended it four or five times a week paying for food.

’He had a good relationship and was allowed to take alcohol then pay the next day.

’But on this occasion, due to his intoxication, he did something he should not have.’

Mr Rodgers went on to ask for the probation report to be prepared before sentencing.

Bail was granted in the sum of £250 with conditions that McCallion contact probation and reside at his home address.