A man who refused to leave a nightclub has been warned by magistrates that further offending may lead to an exclusion order.

Clement Gerard Claude Halgand, of Circular Road, Douglas, admitted charges of cocaine possession and being found drunk in a public place when he appeared in court on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old, who appeared in court with the assistance of a French interpreter, was fined £350.

He was warned by magistrates that further offending may lead to an exclusion order.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that police were called to Bordello’s nightclub, in Douglas, on November 29 at 3am.

Halgand was refusing the leave the area and continued to be argumentative when police arrived.

He refused to leave despite being asked to do so nine times and being warned he would be arrested.

Halgand continued to be belligerent and was eventually arrested.

When he was searched at police headquarters, police found a small snap bag containing traces of cocaine in his pocket.

During an interview he handed in a prepared statement saying that the drug was his for personal use.

The court heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence advocate Deborah Myerscough said that Halgand had been in the island for about 10 months and was working in the hospitality industry.

’He accepts he should have known better in terms of his behaviour,’ said Ms Myerscough.

’He says he drunk far too much and appreciates his behaviour was not appropriate.

’He has at least another 12 months’ work on the island in front of him and has been very lucky in being able to maintain that employment.’

The magistrates’ chairman, Ken Faragher, told Halgand: ’Had you listened to police on the night when they told you to go home you wouldn’t be here.’