A 20-year-old woman who left the island for several months after being granted bail has been put on probation for a year.

Shannon Anne Louise Bateson, of Clifton Terrace, Douglas, pleaded guilty last March to an offence of abduction of a person in care.

The offence was committed in January 2019 and related to her assisting a 15-year-old boy in staying away from social care.

However, while Bateson was on bail and due to attend probation meetings so that a report could be prepared before sentencing she left the island.

Vulnerable

She only returned in December and was arrested by police in Strand Street.

The court heard that she has been on remand for five weeks.

The 15-year-old was found at Bateson’s home on January 20 last year.

She said that she had allowed him to say as he had refused to return to St Christopher’s Care saying he was going to spend the night on the beach or a park bench.

Bateson said that she felt he would be safer with her however the court heard that there was a party being held at the property with alcohol and drugs present.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said: ’We are not talking about a young child.

’His brother was also at the property. She was struggling with life herself.’

She added: ’She was a young woman who was troubled, vulnerable, and associating with those who perhaps prey on those who are vulnerable.’

Ms Cooil went on to say that Bateson had left the island to look after her mother in Newcastle who was having health issues but had then stayed for 10 months and ended up homeless before returning the Isle of Man.

Arrest

’She holds her hands up,’ said Ms Cooil.

’She should have surrendered. She had obtained a home and employment upon her arrest.

’At the time of the offence she was perhaps on a path of self-destruction.

’I have spoken to Housing Matters and they have an address for her upon her release.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that she was taking into account that Bateson had served the equivalent of a 10-week prison sentence while on remand.

She was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs, which she will pay at a rate of £10 per week.