A takeaway delivery driver has been jailed for eight weeks after breaching Covid-19 restrictions.

Ivan Vasilev Dimitrov, of Empire Drive, Douglas, worked delivering meals for the Siam Orchid restaurant on September 6 despite returning on a flight from Manchester on September 3.

The 50-year-old, who worked in a care home up until July, said he had been visiting relatives in Bulgaria for two weeks.

He pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to comply with the Covid-19 restrictions.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes jailed him after he appeared in court via video link from police headquarters wearing a mask and with the assistance of an interpreter.

She told Dimitrov: ’Your actions will undoubtedly cause grave concerns for people who received food from you and may mean they have to isolate themselves, and therefore cause enormous inconvenience and possible expense to them.

’They will, or already have been, notified of the contact.

’You can’t put the lives of people in the Isle of Man at risk. We have had one reported case of coronavirus in recent months.

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’That case was prevented from spreading because the person co-operated with the procedure.

’If you are carrying coronavirus you risk spreading it not only to people you have direct contact with but also to people generally.’

Earlier, prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Dimitrov landed on a flight from Manchester at Ronaldway at 4.20pm on September 3.

He was in possession of a Manx entry permit, which was issued on September 2 and was provided with a notice instructing him to self-isolate for 14 days.

However, on September 6 police were informed that Dimitrov had not been self-isolating and had been delivering food for the Siam Orchid takeaway.

The takeaway owner confirmed that he had worked from 5pm until 9.40pm on September 6.

Another of their drivers said that Dimitrov had arranged to cover his shift and that he saw him driving a blue Audi on Woodbourne Road.

Dimitrov was arrested at 10.33pm on September 6 and when interviewed gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions. High Bailiff Mrs Hughes asked how many deliveries were made and if everyone had been contacted.

Mr Swain said that police said the track and trace process was ongoing.

The court heard that Dimitrov was granted bail after being arrested as the takeaway owner had initially refused to give a statement and further evidence was being gathered.

It was said that the police had then collected him from his home to bring him to court on Thursday.

Mr Swain opposed any further bail application, if the case was to be adjourned for a probation report, saying that Dimitrov should be remanded until he has been tested or completed his quarantine.

Mrs Hughes ruled out adjourning for a report saying she would sentence immediately.

Defence advocate David Reynolds asked for credit to be given for the fact that his client has no previous convictions and for his guilty plea.

Mr Reynolds said that Dimitrov had lived in the island for five years.

’He was granted police bail,’ said the advocate. ’There were no further issues. Police can check he remains isolated.

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’He returned home to see his wife and son in Bulgaria. They are still in a relationship despite him residing here.

’He tells me he has been in constant employment since being on the Isle of Man.

’Unfortunately one of his main hindrances is his difficulty with English. In his current position he works 15 hours per week and up until July he was working in a care home as a second job.

’He had to give up that job due to his difficulties with English.

’The difficulty he’s had is being able to find a second job and therefore when he returned to the Isle of Man he was conscious that his capacity to earn had been reduced significantly.

’He was very anxious when returning so he wanted to return to work as soon as possible.’

Mr Reynolds went on to say that Dimitrov would lose his employment and accommodation if he was sent to custody, and that would affect his 20-year-old son, for whom he provided money at university.

Mrs Hughes asked if Dimitrov’s employer knew that he had been away and Mr Swain said that they had been apparently unaware that he had been off the island.