A man who failed to do two portions of community service after leaving the island for Liverpool has been jailed for 16 weeks.

Robert Emlyn Stevens, of Clagh Vane, in Ballasalla, was given permission by probation services to leave the Isle of Man to move to the UK but then didn’t contact probation again, going missing for three years.

During those three years it was said that Stevens, who is 40, had been convicted of offences of careless driving, drink-driving, and possession of a bladed article in the UK.

Stevens appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes for sentencing on Tuesday.

We previously reported that Stevens admitted he had completed zero hours of an 80-hour order imposed in July 2016 and another 80-hour order that was imposed in August 2016.

The community service was imposed in 2016 for offences of possessing cocaine, provoking behaviour, and criminal damage.

Co-operation

The court heard that Stevens had initially been unable to do his community service due to being in a wheelchair after leaping from a second storey window and breaking his pelvis.

However, he failed to contact probation when required to do so on six occasions between November and December 2016.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough said that her sentencing options were limited to either custody or a financial penalty as Stevens had no address to go to in the Isle of Man.

Ms Myerscough told the court: ’He was co-operating with probation but the phone calls he was supposed to make stopped.

’He has come over of his own accord.

’He believed if he came to court that would be in his favour.’

Custody

The advocate said that Stevens had £50 with him and that his parents could pay up to £500 if a financial penalty was imposed.

However, High Bailiff Jayne Hughes revoked the two community service orders and replaced them with a custodial sentence of 16 weeks.

Mrs Hughes told Stevens: ’You left the jurisdiction with permission but it was very much with the requirement that you keep in touch.

’You were out of touch for three years before surrendering yourself.’

She added: ’Only limited credit can be given after that amount of time at large.’