Four weeks in prison for man who missed trial

A Douglas man has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service after a short journey in someone else's van. 

35-year-old Frank Michael Jones, of Brisbane Street, was sentenced at Douglas Courthouse earlier this week. 

He allowed himself to be carried in a Fiat van which had been taken without the owner's consent on Douglas Promenade on August 25th last year. 

After denying the offence Jones was found guilty of it at trial - a trial he chose not to attend. 

Since his conviction Jones has spent the equivalent of a two month sentence on remand awaiting sentence. 

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes described Jones as his "own worst enemy" for not attending the trial or communicating with his advocate but said she believed it was "a one-off offence". 

As well as imposing a Community Service Order she also endorsed his driving licence with eight penalty points.