A man who stole two right-footed trainers has been sentenced to 12 months’ probation.

Daniel Joseph Cachia, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, also ran towards a woman carrying a pair of scissors during another incident.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to theft and threatening behaviour and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

As we reported in coverage pf a previous court appearance, Cachia was in the JD Sports in Strand Street, Douglas, on July 27 when he asked staff if he could try on some shoes.

While the assistant went to get his size, Cachia took two right-footed Nike VaporMax trainers, a size six and a size eight and a half, and hid them behind a display podium near the door. He then left the store a short time later taking the trainers with him.

Around 20 minutes later staff noticed that the trainers were missing and were told by a member of the public that Cachia was stood by a nearby bin and had stolen them.

Staff confronted Cachia at the bin and he went back into the shop.

But while CCTV footage was being checked Cachia left the store again and the trainers were found inside the bin.

After viewing the CCTV footage staff identified Cachia on Facebook and passed his details to the police.

He was arrested and admitted the theft and told police it was the first time he had stolen and that he was ’not very good at it’.

Cachia said that he had taken valium and drunk half a litre of vodka before the incident.

The threatening behaviour offence occurred on August 29 when a woman was driving her car at Tromode Park in Douglas when she saw Cachia stumbling in the road. She slowed her car but said that Cachia then ran towards her holding a pair of scissors so she drove away.

When police arrived they saw Cachia discarding an object and the scissors were later found.

Defence advocate Paul Rodgers said: ’They were two very nusual incidents occuring during daylight hours, committed by a young man under the influence of drugs.

’He has had issues going back four years. He started on cannabis then moved onto benzodiazepine.

’But he has engaged with Motiv8 and is attending a college course and doing well. There is every hope he could attend university in the future.’

The court heard that Cachia had spent 14 days in custody while on remand and still had 26 hours of a 160 hour community service order to complete which was previously imposed.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Cachia: ’If you breach this probation order you are likely to go straight to prison. I’m giving you a chance. You’ve got lots of potential, don’t throw it away.’

Cachia will pay the costs at a rate of £5 per week.