Burglar admits breaking into flat to fund drug debt

A thief from Douglas has been remanded at the Isle of Man Prison after breaking into a flat to fund his drug debt.

44-year-old Lee Cowell, of Darragh Passage appeared at Douglas Courthouse on Thursday where he admitted carrying out the burglary. 

Cowell targeted the property on James Street in Douglas in the early hours of October 6th. 

He smashed a kitchen window before reaching in and removing the letterbox - he then unlocked the door from the inside. 

Cowell stole around £100 in coins which had been left in tumblers on the windowsill - the occupier was not at home at the time. 

Forensic tests revealed Cowell's blood on the inside of the front door - his fingerprints were also found on the broken letterbox. 

His advocate told the court it had been an "opportunistic theft" adding: "To help fund his drug debt he's taken the decision, there and then, to break in and steal the coins." 

Cowell will be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery - he'll next appear there on November 5th.