A Liverpool man who defied an exclusion order and brought drugs into the Isle of Man has been jailed for four months by the Deputy High Bailiff.

Paul John Rooney, from Bootle, admitted both offences.

The prosecution said Rooney had been banned from the Island for five years on January 22nd 2008, but came back here just eight days later and was banned for another five years.

He was discovered on the Island again last month and was subsequently arrested.

Jason Roberts reports: (audio clip attached, text below)

Rooney told officers he had drugs on him and was taken to Noble's Hospital, where a package was found containing ten tablets found to be Subutex.

The court was told Rooney was a heroin addict who was getting methadone in the UK, but knew he wouldn't be able to get any here, so brought the tablets, which are similar.

At the time of his first exclusion he'd been living here with his Manx girlfriend and had returned a week or so later to collect his belongings, when he was arrested on his way to the boat.

Rooney had come back to the Island in December last year to see his now ex-girlfriend and their young daughter, but had gone to ground when he heard police were looking for him.

In sentencing Rooney, the Deputy High Bailiff said aggravating factors were he'd hidden from the law for three weeks and had an appaling criminal record, including ten drugs convictions.