A ’chronic alcoholic’ has been fined £100 for three counts of theft from an off-licence.

Alan Kenneth Rogers, of Victoria Road, Douglas, took alcohol from Winerite, which is on Victoria Road, without paying on Febraury 6, 11 and 13.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court how police were called to the store on February 13 after staff had detained Rogers, who had left without paying for a bottle of vodka.

Rogers was also identified on CCTV footage on two previous occasions stealing wine and vodka from the store.

Advocate David Reynolds said: ’We would submit that these were not sophisticated offences. They were relatively low value items put in a carrier bag while paying for other items. He is a chronic alcoholic. In order to function on a daily basis he has to consume alcohol.

’But it has been some time since he has been in trouble with the police.

’He started to go into a downward spiral when his mum was admitted to hospital in the UK. He has been frustrated, due to financial restraints, he has not been able to give her the support he’d like to.’

Mr Reynolds said Rogers, aged 61, had self-referred to Motiv8 at Christmas and was receiving support from them.

Rogers was fined £100 by magistrates for the first theft, with no separate penalty made for the other two thefts.

He was also ordered to pay £42.95 to the shop in compensation.