A 59-year-old man who breached a licensing ban for the third time in four months has been fined £150.

Roderick Paul Fitton, of Whitestone Terrace, Ballasalla, admitted buying vodka at Wine Down in Duke Street, Douglas, on February 24 despite being made the subject of the six-month ban in October.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called to Fitton’s address after it was alleged he had been verbally abusive to his partner.

No complaint was made but an empty bottle of vodka and a receipt for the bottle were found at the address.

Defence advocate Emily Johnson said that her client had a ’troubled history with alcohol’.

Ms Johnson said that Fitton had recently suffered a bereavement and was not attempting to tackle the root cause of his issues.

The advocate said that he had booked an appointment with Motiv8 but could not be seen for some time.

The court heard that Fitton had spent a night in police cells after the incident.

He was also ordered by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £20 per week deducted from benefits.