An 18 year old Castletown man has been ordered to carry out 120 hours community service by Deemster Doyle.

Alexander David Sinclair, of Milner Terrace, admitted burglary at a property in Castletown on August 18th of last year.

Peter Carle, prosecuting, said the offence was committed whilst the occupants of the property on the Promenade were asleep.

Stuart Peters reports:

(Text of attached audio)
Sinclair gained access through a kitchen window which had been left insecure and he took property totalling around ?1000. Police received information on September 14th and arrested Sinclair at his home. He made unsolicited comment when they arrived and asked them why it had taken them three weeks to get to him. He was fully co-operative, said Mr Carle, and he was arrested then taken to police headquarters where he told police he was drunk.

His advocate Jim Travers said his actions could only be described as a "catastrophic behavioural lapse" committed after a night's drinking. A stolen laptop could not be returned as it had been lost, but the defendant was working and willing to pay compensation.

Deemster Doyle said it was a very serious offence and the victims had naturally been left upset. He noted the remorse and willingness to repay the victims, and he recommended that he write a letter of apology to his victims. He accepted that the offence wasn't premeditated, but ordered him to pay compensation of ?750