A teenager from Douglas has been fined £750 for breaking a fence after a row with his girlfriend.

Owen Edwin Plaskett, of Hilltop Rise, was also order to pay £200 compensation for the damage he caused and £125 prosecution costs.

The 19-year-old pleaded guilty in a magistrates’ court to two offences of damaging property.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, on December 27 at 12.15am, police were called to a property at Farmhill Meadows in Douglas after a report of a man shouting in the street.

When they arrived Plaskett had left the scene but witnesses said they had seen him shouting and ripping fence panels down from two properties.

Police located Plaskett’s girlfriend who told them that they had argued at the Cat with no Tail pub and she had got a taxi home.

The court heard that Plaskett had followed her and had then taken out his anger on the two properties.

He was later arrested and the damage to the fences was estimated at £1,890 to one property and £892.50 to the other.

Defending Plaskett in court advocate Paul Rodgers said: ’The insurance companies have agreed to pay out so the actual cost is a £100 excess for each property.

’Mr Plaskett pleads guilty on the basis he was reckless. His girlfriend also sought to retract her statement but that didn’t happen. It is a somewhat tempestuous relationship.

’My client has been working with probation to progress all of his issues. He was the victim of a stabbing in 2014 which caused him to be very much on his guard.

’Alcohol is a trigger and he is endeavouring to reduce his consumption, but he would say he does not drink that often.

’He has an offer of work at a pub so we would ask that the court bear that in mind when considering any licensing ban.

’He hasn’t lashed out at his girlfriend. He has managed to deal with his anger but of course that led to the damage.’

Mr Rodgers went on to say that the fencing had been there for many years and had a rotten base which was why Plaskett was able to damage it.

’The excesses had to be paid. He has accepted compensation of that would be appropriate,’ said the advocate.

’If it was proved that insurance had increased there could be more but that hasn’t been proved.

’It’s not the highest order criminal damage offence but it is now the second he has faced.

’He is only 19 and is hopeful of attaining employment.’

Magistrates’ chairman Caroline Convery warned Plaskett for his behaviour while in the dock saying: ’You should concentrate on proceedings instead of laughing and winking. This was unacceptable and it won’t be tolerated.’

Plaskett was fined £375 for each count of property damage and ordered to pay £100 to each property owner in compensation. He was also banned from licensed premises for 12 months.