Man who caused Bottle Monkey damage told his behaviour was 'appalling'

22-year-old handed suspended sentence after string of offences

A Douglas man who caused more than £3,000 worth of damage to a craft beer shop has been told his behaviour was ‘appalling’.

Thomas Lee Parsons, of Derby Square, escaped being sent to prison this week after committing a string of offences.

The 22-year-old entered Bottle Monkey, on Nelson Street in Douglas, in the early hours of 26 February – whilst inside he caused ‘considerable damage’ to the shop and its contents.

He couldn’t remember the incident due to his level of intoxication.

Parsons was acquitted of burglary but was found guilty instead of criminal damage – High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told him: “The damage was appalling and your behaviour was appalling.”

Sentencing him to four months in custody, suspended for two years, Mrs Hughes also ordered him to pay the shop owner £3,110 in compensation and imposed a 12-month licensing ban.

“He is 22 years of age but, in my humble submission, he often presents as much younger than that.” – Steve Wood (Advocate)

Parsons was also sentenced for a harassment offence during the same hearing after previously admitting to sending his ex-girlfriend more than 100 ‘abusive and threatening’ messages.

His conduct had, he admitted, amounted to harassment between 25 July and 21 August.

In his messages Parsons threatened to smash her windows and told her: “I’m going to smash your neck in.”

You can read more about that case HERE.

Defending his client Parsons’ advocate told the court: “It is clear that he has difficulty taking no for an answer,” adding: “My client should be, and is, disgusted with himself for those messages – they are horrible.”

Urging the high bailiff not to impose immediate custody he added: “My client doesn’t think prison is the right place for him. He wants to be a better man.”  

For the harassment offence Mrs Hughes sentenced Parsons to four months in custody, again suspended for two years, and imposed a two-year restraining order.

She also added a one month suspended sentence for a breach of community service meaning, in total, Parsons was handed a nine-month custodial sentence suspended for two years.

He was also made the subject of a Suspended Sentence Supervision Order and must pay £175 in prosecution costs with the high bailiff telling Parsons: “You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself.”