Two men have been jailed after a party was broken up by police in Port Erin.

Jamie Leneghan, aged 31, and Kevin Ashley Watterson, aged 28, both appeared before Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith on Wednesday charged with breaching the Emergency Powers Act in relation to gatherings.

Prosecutor Chrissie Hunt told the court that at 2.45am on April 14, police attended the Cherry Orchard Apartments in Port Erin following reports of a party.

On attending, officers said they could hear music playing and there was a ’smell of cannabis’.

When they knocked on the door, the music was switched off but there was no answer. It was only when officers threatened to forcibly gain entry that Leneghan opened the door.

Police found Leneghan and Watterson in the flat, along with three other people who were hiding behind a television set.

Defence advocate Andrew Baker said that Watterson had admitted being present, however he had not organised the party and ’didn’t even know two of the people who had turned up’.

Mr Baker said that Watterson was staying with Leneghan as the ’strain of the lockdown’ had led to him moving out of his usual residence with his partner. He described the arrangement as ’effectively lodging there’.

He added: ’My client asked himself if he should stay or go.’ But he said that because of prohibitions on movement he was concerned about being stopped by the police.

Watterson denied that he had received a warning from the police in relation to a ban on social gatherings or any Covid-19 related restrictions.

However, Mr Arrowsmith said he gave ’little regard’ to this defence given the widespread coverage of the current conditions placed on residents. He said ’all people on the Isle of Man are fully aware of the restrictions’.

The Deputy High Bailiff said they had placed themselves ’and all others at that party at risk’ as well anyone they may come into contact with and police officers.

Both men pleaded guilty to the breaking of the emergency powers. Watterson was sentenced to 28 days’ custody while Leneghan was remanded in custody until May 12 for other matters.

For a report about other offenders being jailed for breaking lockdown restrictions, see the Manx Independent.