A 26-year-old man has appeared in court after admitting breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

Liam Priestnal, of Lheannag Park, Douglas, was due to be sentenced on Thursday (April 22) but the case was adjourned for the preparation of a probation report.

Priestnal was found by police at the home of Nathan Alexander Orme, aged 28, of Anagh Coar Road, Douglas, on January 25.

We previously reported that Orme was jailed for six weeks in February after admitting breaching restrictions on gatherings.

Priestnal also pleaded guilty to breaching restrictions on gatherings. A second charge of breaking rules on prohibition of movement has been withdrawn.

Police went to Orme’s home after receiving an anonymous report about another man being present.

When officers arrived Orme answered the door and said that his friend, Liam Priestnal, was just collecting his phone charger.

Police entered the property and both men reiterated the claim that Priestnal was there to collect his charger.

Orme then claimed his friend was part of his ’bubble’ despite that rule, which allows people to mix with other households, applying only in the UK at the time and not in the Isle of Man.

When interviewed, Orme then claimed that Priestnal had moved into his house during lockdown but police found none of his belongings in the house.

Police officers at the scene also reported that during the arrest, Orme told Priestnal: ’Say you live with me.’

After pleading guilty Priestnal entered a basis of plea saying he had left his home to buy groceries and had then decided to check on Orme, about whom he said he was concerned during lockdown.

Magistrates initially sentenced Priestnal to four weeks in prison but his defence advocate said that he had not been anticipating a custodial sentence and asked for an adjournment so that a probation report could be prepared with input from mental health services.

Magistrates agreed to postpone sentencing until June 3 when the report will be ready.

Bail continues.