A 22-year-old Douglas man has been sentenced to a probation order for driving offences and stealing a bicycle.

Benjamin James Canning, of Close Kennish, was put on probation for two years as a direct alternative to 10 weeks’ custody, after admitting offences of driving while disqualified and theft.

He also admitted having no insurance and was fined £500 and disqualified from driving for 12 months with an order to retake his test at the end of the ban.

We previously reported how a mountain bike was stolen from the rear of Zurich Bank in Athol Street in Douglas on April 30, 2015.

The bike was later located, advertised for sale, on a Facebook page.

The seller told police he had bought it from a woman, who was also interviewed, and she told police she bought it from Canning.

When quizzed, Canning admitted stealing the bicycle telling police he was ’in a bad place at the time’.

In a separate incident, on August 27 at 5.15pm, police saw Canning walking to the rear of Cronk y Berry school carrying a helmet.

He got on a scooter and rode away towards Hailwood Avenue, but police had received information that he was a disqualified driver who had not retaken his test.

He was stopped and said to police: ’I’m not going to lie to you, I haven’t got a licence.’

Defending Canning in court advocate David Reynolds said that his client had subsequently gone to prison before the bicycle theft had come to light for 18 months for an offence of assault.

Mr Reynolds said: ’That sentence changed his life he says.

’He says at the time of the theft he was heavily taking drugs since he was 14 and was in a relationship fuelled by drugs.

’The assault matter was while he was under the influence of drugs and he tells me he had very little recollection of the theft, it wasn’t pre-planned.

’Since the custodial sentence he’s had the opportunity to become drug free. He believes that sentence is what has changed his behaviour.

’Since coming out of prison he has gained employment. He is working 65 hours a week on average. He is dealing with drug and alcohol issues and is in a relationship.

’Unfortunately he is also before the court for driving offences.

’He tells me he was viewing the vehicle at the time and he took it for a test drive. He was intending to buy it, then take his CBT test.

’Unfortunately he did it on a public highway.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Canning to pay £150 compensation to the owner of the bicycle and £125 prosecution costs.

No separate penalty was made for a fourth offence of having no vehicle licence.