Man pleads guilty of possessing articles for fraud

A Scottish man’s admitted coming to the Isle of Man armed with mobile phones and a laptop to carry out fraud.

Connor Robert McClung of Avendale Crescent in Armadale appeared before magistrates at Douglas Courthouse.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of producing cannabis to the Island and five of possessing articles for use in fraud on January 27.

The 22-year-old was stopped by police as he got off the ferry at the Sea Terminal and had three iPhones, a laptop and an SMS device – officers discovered messages about buying SIM cards here to send fraudulent text messages.

Appearing alongside him was a 16-year-old Scottish boy, who can’t be named because of his age, who denies four charges of possessing articles for fraud on the same date.

McClung was bailed in the sum of £500 to live at Tromode House in Braddan and committed to the Court of General Gaol Delivery for sentencing on April 8.

The teenager was also granted bail, and was excused having to attend a pre-trial review hearing on April 13.