A 34-year-old Douglas man has been fined £150 for breaching an alcohol ban.

Nicholas Derek Jones, of Selborne Road, was banned from buying alcohol on August 4 for two months.

However, prosecuting advocate James Robinson told the court that Jones went into the petrol station on Alexander Drive in Douglas on September 10 and bought three bottles of Desperados lager.

He was recognised as being in the banning book only after the purchase was made and he had left the shop.

Jones told police he thought it was a ban only on consuming alcohol on licensed premises.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode handed in a letter from Jones to the court. Mr Kermode said: ’The ban imposed on August 4 was in relation to entering licensed premises and to purchasing alcohol. Mr Jones was of the understanding he could purchase alcohol but not enter licensed premises. He made a mistake.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that he had written to Jones after the ban detailing what it entailed but he had not taken it on board.

The advocate said that, although there were alcohol-related offences on his client’s record, there had been only one offence in the last three years.

’He has embarked on a fitness and well-being programme,’ said the advocate. ’He is going to a gym and has a personal trainer.’