A man who helped a friend carry shopping home has been sentenced to five weeks’ custody for breaching the Emergency Powers Act.

Lee Crawley pleaded guilty on Friday to a charge of breaching the Emergency Powers Act for being absent from his regular place of residence, the Sefton Express in Ballasalla.

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Crawley was found at a friend’s house in Derby Road, Douglas at 5.40pm on April 23 while police were executing a search warrant for a separate issue.

He told officers he had misinterpreted the regulations and had only gone into his friend’s house because he had helped carry shopping home.

Defence advocate David Clegg said Crawley, 45, had helped his friend, who has mental health difficulties, after meeting her in the street.

Having carried her shopping home, he felt tired so sat down and was still there when police arrived.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith said while passing sentence: ’His actions, while well-intentioned, could’ve endangered him and his friend and anyone else they came into contact with.’

Crawley was sentenced to five weeks in custody.