A man who stole clothes from Sports Direct and vandalised cars has been handed a suspended sentence.

David William Atkinson, of no fixed address, admitted five counts of property damage, one of making threats to damage property, and one of theft.

Magistrates sentenced the 32-year-old to three months’ custody, suspended for two years, when he appeared in court last week.

Atkinson was also banned from entering licensed premises, and purchasing or being sold alcohol for two years.

We previously reported that Atkinson was stopped by staff at Sport Direct in the Strand Shopping Centre, in Douglas, on December 28 as he tried to leave with two pairs of trousers, a jacket, and a sweater. Later on the same day he was arrested after kicking car wing mirrors on Finch Road, damaging several parked vehicles.

He then threatened to damage a police vehicle after being arrested.

Defence advocate David Clegg told the court that his client had served around a month on remand, the equivalent of a two-month sentence.

’Mr Atkinson would say the criminal damage was a cry for help,’ said the advocate.

’Unfortunately Christmas time is a difficult time for a lot of people.

’Mr Atkinson came off medication. He self-medicated with alcohol.

’He says himself he used it as a crutch.

’He is the author of his own misfortune.’ Mr Clegg went on to say that Atkinson had promised he would be engaging with his office over issues regarding contact with his children.

Magistrates chair Lisa Horton said that they had considered his time on remand and information in the probation report when making the decision to suspend the sentence.