A man who vandalised a Mercedes with a rock causing £1,757 worth of damage has been fined £600.

William Robert Callow, of Clifton Terrace, Douglas, admitted an offence of property damage and was also ordered to pay £350 in compensation after the court heard that insurance had paid out for the damage.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that, on September 12 at 1am, Callow was seen on CCTV walking from Harris Terrace in Douglas onto Christian Road while pushing a bicycle.

The 54-year-old was carrying a large rock and was seen looking up and down the road.

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Callow then went off camera but then appeared again without the rock and was seen walking quickly back up the road, then cycling off.

The owner of the car said that Callow had made a threatening gesture to him a couple of weeks before the incident.

Callow was identified and arrested but denied causing the damage to the car.

A witness working in a nearby taxi office said that they had heard a loud noise but had not seen the incident.

The court heard that the car owner had paid the £350 excess on the insurance policy but been reimbursed for the rest of the damage.

Callow initially pleaded not guilty to the offence but on Tuesday changed his plea.

A probation report said that Callow had said he was angry with the car owner after an incident with a friend.

The report said that Callow had not worked since 2011 due to health issues but received £196 per week in benefits after rent was paid.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’The evidence is somewhat circumstantial but Mr Callow has taken a pragmatic approach.’

Mr Wood said that Callow was out walking because he could not sleep and that he had recognised the man’s car rather than having gone looking for it.

’The premeditation was in a limited window,’ said the advocate.

’He is not heavily convicted for offences of criminal damage and many of his offences are historic,’ said the advocate.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Callow to pay £125 prosecution costs.

He will pay the fine, compensation and costs at a rate of £20 per week deducted from benefits.