A man has been jailed for breaching quarantine rules after returning to the island from the UK.

Company director Alistair McCormick, 64, of South Quay in Douglas, admitted being ’out and about’ when he should have been self-isolating.

He was arrested after visiting a branch of Lloyds bank in Douglas on Friday (August 21) where he told a member of staff he had returned to the island about 10 days ago having spent three and a half weeks in the UK.

McCormick also visited an electronics store in Braddan the same day.

He was held in police custody overnight and appeared before court via a live video link the following morning. He was sentenced to four weeks in jail.

Police said the matter had been reported to them by the public. ’We appreciate the help you are giving to us to keep the island Covid free,’ said a police spokesman.

This is the third case in which a breach of quarantine rules has resulted in a prison term.

From July 20 island residents have been able travel to the UK and beyond but must self-isolate for 14 days on their return. More than 2,500 people have done so.

Anyone who breaches the self-isolation rules could face a fine of up to £10,000 or three months in prison.

Paul Dowd, 64, of Demesne Road, Douglas, was jailed for six weeks after admitting going to two pubs and a shop when he should have been in quarantine after returning from abroad.

He posted on Facebook: ’I’ve been out - stuff em.’ When questioned by police, he told officers he had broken quarantine as he was ’bored’.

Fraser Nolan, 60, from Belfast, who had permission to visit to take care of her late mother’s estate, was jailed for four weeks for failing to quarantine. She admitted travelling by bus to a locksmith.

In a Freedom of Information response, police revealed that nine people in total have been dealt with for quarantine breaches since July 20.

Six warnings were issued and four arrests made (one was verbally warned and subsequently arrested).