Community service for man who stole shop sign

A Douglas man has been ordered to carry out 80 hours of community service after taking his 'anger and frustration' out on a shop owner.

40-year-old Michael Donald Martin, of Keppel Road, made a series of unwanted approaches towards the owner of Rehab 2 between June and August this year.

At Douglas Courthouse this week he was sentenced after admitting theft and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Police arrested Martin on July 28 after he stole a shop sign from the Duke Street premises and threw it into the harbour.

The owner called officers after becoming frightened when she noticed him pacing around outside the shop as she was locking up - he'd also been banging on the door.

Martin's advocate told the court he'd known the woman for some time and had become 'fond' of her but confirmed: "Those feelings were not returned."

Magistrates also ordered Martin to pay prosecution costs of £125 and imposed a 12-month licensing ban; he was also bound over to be of good behaviour for the next year.