A teenager has been sentenced to 40 hours’ community service for stealing £220 worth of designer clothes from a Douglas shop.

Jake Mortimer, aged 17, of Churchtown, in Lezayre, admitted stealing Armani clothing from Flannels, in the Strand Shopping Centre.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, on September 27 at 11.40am, Mortimer went into Flannels and selected three items, an Armani jumper, fleece and trousers.

He took the items into the changing rooms where he removed the security tags and put the items in a bag.

However, Mortimer had put the tags in his pocket and subsequently set off the security alarm as he left the shop.

He was detained by security and later changed with theft.

In an interview he told police he knew it was wrong but didn’t earn much money and wanted some ’nice clothes’.

Defence advocate Rebecca Cubbon said: ’Mr Mortimer is a young man, just 17. We would ask for credit to be given for his guilty plea.

’The probation report details something of a sorry tale. He had hoped to join the army but that was scuppered by some medical reasons and from there things seem to have snowballed. He has suffered anxiety. He would like to apologise to the court, the store and the store manager.

’On that day he was at a low point in his life. He went to the store without intent. He wanted to try on the clothes and made an impulsive decision. He is incredibly remorseful.

’He has no previous convictions. This has had a knock-on effect. He lost his job at Tesco due to these allegations.

’He went into the changing rooms initially to take a picture of himself in what he said was some nice clothing.’

The court heard that the clothes had been damaged as a result of Mortimer removing the tags and he was also ordered to pay £220 compensation to Flannels.