Jail for former pub employee who stole £5,000 in burglary

28-year-old described as ‘thoroughly dishonest character’

A Douglas man who burgled the pub he used to work at has been jailed for six months.

James Simon Paul Webb, of Central Promenade, stole £5,000 from the safe at Brendan O'Donnells.

Police were alerted to a burglary at the pub on Castle Street on 18 July – CCTV had captured the 28-year-old letting himself into the venue with a key without permission.

Officers carried out a search of Webb’s property just before midnight on the same day – they found clothing and high value items that had been purchased that day.

Webb had spent around £1,000 on the goods which he paid for in cash.

He later admitted burglary, between 16 and 18 July, possession of cannabis and sending an offensive, indecent or menacing message on 24 August.

During sentencing at Douglas Courthouse Webb’s advocate said he remembered very little about the offences adding her client had suffered a ‘significant downturn’ in his mental health.

Urging the deputy high bailiff not to jail him she added: “He is at risk of relapse of substance abuse if he goes back into prison. This is a very vulnerable person that you have in the dock today.”

The court heard Webb had told a probation officer that he’d thrown the missing £4,000 ‘down the drain’ – an explanation James Brooks described as ‘farcical’.

Describing Webb as a ‘thoroughly dishonest character’ he told him his mental health difficulties didn’t excuse his conduct.

“It’s clear to me you planned this offence, “ the deputy high bailiff added: “It’s your own actions that have brought you to this point.”

Webb was also ordered to pay £5,000 in compensation to the pub.