A Douglas man has been sentenced to 140 hours’ community service after being caught twice with heroin.

Paul Clint Shields, of Rencell Hill, admitted two counts of possession of the class A drug as well as possession of class B drug cannabis and class C drugs buprenorphine and subutex.

We previously reported how, on August 20, police executed a search warrant at 41-year-old Shields’ home.

A wrap containing 0.3 grams of the drug was found in a bedside table said to be worth £30.

Four children were in the house, aged between nine months and 10 years at the time.

An earlier incident came to light which occurred on February 8 when a search warrant was executed at Allan Street in Douglas where Shields was then living.

Heroin worth £25 was found along with £1.58 worth of cannabis, and the class C drugs, valued at £2.

The court heard that the February incident had been charged later than the August one due to it being part of another investigation which had eventually not been proceeded with.

Shields is still on licence after he was released from a 10-year sentence imposed in 2011.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’Mr Shields is on licence for very serious previous convictions. Regrettably he has placed himself in the position of potentially being sent to prison.

’It is a shame that, when an individual extremely well known to this court knocked on his door, he let him in.’

Mr Wood went on to say that, although children had been present in the house where the heroin had been found in August, Shields had put it on the bedside table when he went to bed and was going to put it back in his pocket in the morning, but was arrested in a dawn raid.

’He was at a particularly low ebb when an individual came to the door,’ said the advocate.

’He had a new probation officer and feared, if he made admissions that he’d taken drugs, he might be sent to prison.

’The court is dealing with a man who is really trying, he is engaged with the Drug and Alcohol Team.

’He has support from family members. Since his release he has attended the Job Centre on many occasions.

’The court will appreciate not every potential employer will invite Mr Shields for an interview.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Shields: ’I will give you the opportunity to continue working with probation and the Drug and Alcohol Team.’