A teenager who tried to break down a neighbour’s door using a ladder has been put on probation for 18 months.

Morgan John Ritchie admitted offences of property damage and provoking behaviour.

Magistrates also ordered him to pay £103.10 compensation for some window blinds which were damaged.

As we have previously reported, 17-year-old Ritchie and a juvenile had attempted to enter the property just after midnight on October 27.

Ritchie was said to have kicked the front door then picked up a ladder and started hitting the door with it.

The juvenile then tried to get in through a side window.

However, the occupier of the property came out and Ritchie said: ’He owes me money,’ referring to another male at the property.

When Ritchie was told that the police had been called he and the juvenile left.

They were arrested later and when interviewed Ritchie told police he could not remember much after 9pm and then said he ’couldn’t remember’ in response to all questions about the allegations.

Defence advocate Jane Gray referred to a probation report saying that her client had a ’formidable range of difficulties’ which she would not go into in open court.

Ms Gray said that Ritchie, of Derby Road, Douglas, had been diagnosed with anxiety and had used alcohol to self-medicate.

The advocate said: ’The level of damage caused was at the lower end when looking at criminal damage offences.

’He has spent 64 days on remand, almost the equivalent of a nine-week sentence.’

Magistrates chair Gill Eaton told Ritchie: ’This must have been a very disturbing incident for the people living in that house.

’It is time that you grew up and bear in mind that in six months time it’ll be Jurby prison you’ll be headed to.’

Ritchie will pay the compensation at a rate of £5 per week deducted from benefits. No order for prosecution costs was made.