A 25-year-old Douglas man who verbally abused a staff member at Costa Coffee has been fined £400.

Charlton Andrew Gary Watterson, swore at the woman after she told him a toilet was out of order.

He pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and was also ordered by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes to pay the woman £100 compensation.

Prosecuting advocate Roger Kane told the court how police were called to Costa in Strand Street at 5:57pm on August 11.

Watterson, who lives at Empire Terrace, was said to have entered the coffee shop and went into the toilet.

He came out again and was told by the female staff member that it was out of order.

Watterson responded by swearing at the woman.

She was said to be upset by the incident and said she had struggled to function in her job afterwards for fear of it happening again.

Watterson was identified using social media and CCTV footage and attended a voluntary interview at police headquarters.

He answered ’no comment’ to all questions.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ’This was an unfortunate incident. Mr Watterson hadn’t eaten at all and hadn’t been sleeping.

’He was on prescription medication and he would say the combined effects left him feeling disoriented and weak.

’He was not intoxicated. He would say the sign said "caution wet floor".

’He doesn’t remember the words he used but he accepts he was abusive.’

Mr Kermode went on to say that his client had a substantial number of previous convictions but his rate of offending had been reducing since 2019.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes also ordered Watterson to pay £50 prosecution costs.

He will pay all amounts at a rate of £10 per week, deducted from benefits.