A Ramsey man who stole alcohol twice in a three-week period has been fined £300.

Jason Liam Christian, of Queen’s Pier Road, was also ordered by magistrates to pay £28.20 in compensation to the Co-op in Ramsey.

Christian, aged 26, had pleaded guilty to both counts of theft with the case being adjourned for a probation report to be prepared.

We previously reported that the first theft was on July 22 when Christian stole two bottles of wine worth a total of £9.20 from the Co-op in Christian Street in Ramsey.

He then returned to the store on August 12 and this time took a bottle of vodka worth £19. Police arrested Christian on August 13 when he was found at a relative’s house asleep on a sofa.

He was said to be so drunk that he needed assistance to walk.

Misuse

When interviewed later by police, Christian told them he had an alcohol problem and stole the booze because he didn’t have any money to buy it.

A probation report said that Christian had been very open about his problems and a long history of alcohol misuse.

He said that he drank every day but had been in contact with Motiv8 to address the issue.

It was said that Christian was not working currently due to being signed off with back problems, anxiety and depression.

Advocate Paul Glover asked the court to take into account that there had been no use of violence or threats during the thefts and that they were of relatively low value.

Magistrates fined Christian £150 for each theft and ordered him to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He was banned from entering licensed premises and purchasing or being sold alcohol for six months.