Two men who stole electric toothbrushes and a Braun shaver from Boots have been sentenced.

Dean Anthony Whitehead and Jonathon Edward Myers admitted stealing the items, which were said to be worth £710 in total.

Myers also admitted stealing a wooly hat worth £22 from JD Sports.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced Whitehead to a 24-month probation order, also revoking a previous probation order which had begun on November 25.

Myers was sentenced to 14 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years.

The duo, who both live at Prince’s Avenue in Douglas, were also ordered to pay £355 compensation each to Boots and prosecution costs of £300 each, due to the case reaching the pre-trial review stage.

Whitehead and Myers stole two Oral B smart toothbrushes valued at a total of £260 from the Strand Street chemist on November 23.

Then on December 2, they went back and took a Braun shaver valued at £450.

Both visits to the store were captured on CCTV footage and they were later arrested.

Myers, who is 39, was also stopped by staff at JD Sports in Strand Street on December 10 while trying to leave without paying for an Under Armour wooly hat valued at £22.

The toothbrushes and shaver were never recovered.

Defence advocate Jim Travers represented 34-year-old Whitehead and handed in a letter from Manx Care detailing that his client was due to go on a six-month detoxification course in the UK in June.

Mr Travers said: ‘I submit Mr Whitehead has a unique opportunity, one he missed out on two years ago due to the Covid restrictions.

‘It is hoped he is coming to a more mature phase in his life. He really needs to make provisions now for his future.’

Mr Travers said that his client was under the influence of alcohol and prescription medication at the time of the thefts.

‘There appeared to be some basic planning behind the offences, but it was not a sophisticated enterprise,’ said the advocate.

A probation report assessed Whitehead as a low-to-medium risk of harm to others and of reoffending.

Mr Travers added: ‘He is no stranger to custody, however on this occasion he has a real opportunity to prove himself.’

Myers was represented by David Reynolds who said that his client was due for assessment in relation to also being sent on a detoxification course in the UK.

‘Drugs and alcohol have been issues since he was a very young man,’ said Mr Reynolds.

‘He is engaging with the drug and alcohol team and Motiv8, attending meetings twice a week.

‘He has burnt a lot of bridges with his family. His aim is to go to six months rehab, then spend three months trying to obtain a qualification to assist others. He wants to help other people not to have the lifestyle he has.

‘He accepts drugs have ruined his life. He has spent more time with prison officers than his own family.’

A probation report assessed Myers as a medium risk of harm to others and of reoffending.

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

Myers will pay at a rate of £10 per week deducted from benefits.