A man who ‘smashed up’ a post office after they didn’t give him a receipt for a parcel has been fined £600.

Thirty-six-year-old Joshua Liam Samuels kicked a door and swept items off shelves at the Port Erin branch.

In court, he admitted threatening behaviour and criminal damage.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood fined Samuels £300 for each offence, as well as ordering him to pay £125 prosecution costs.

Prosecuting advocate Harry Bellis told the court that Samuels went to the Post Office at Church Road on July 10, at 10.30am.

He was trying to send a package and requested a receipt, but staff were unable to produce receipts at that time, due to a system fault.

This prompted Samuels to become verbally abusive, saying: ‘This is freaking stupid. F****** idiot.’

He was then said to have kicked the door, and staff were so concerned at his behaviour, that they activated a panic alarm.

Samuels then left, but swept multiple items off shelves as he went.

Officers arrived and obtained his address from the sender details on the parcel.

They went to his Erin Way home, and Samuels told them: ‘You know I did it. I smashed up the f****** post office.’

However, he refused to open his door, so officers had to force entry.

Samuels had left by the time they got inside, but he then contacted them to arrange to attend Police Headquarters in Douglas.

Defence advocate Kaitlyn Shimmin said that the defendant suffered from Aspergers and had found the situation overwhelming.

She said that Samuels recently started his own business and sent parcels daily, so he needed a receipt for insurance.

Ms Braidwood told the defendant: ‘No matter how frustrated you may have been, this a completely unacceptable way to behave.’

Samuels will pay at a rate of £10 per week.