Police thank Manx public for 'ensuring public justice is served'

Police have thanked the Manx Public for 'undoubtedly contributing to ensuring public justice has been served.'

It comes following an incident in October 2021 which saw two people arrested after a 'large number' of unused lateral flow tests were dumped at an amenity site.

After police investigated - 3 suspects were identified: a 38 and 39 year old woman and a 40 year old man, who were all previously responsible for delivering lateral flow tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 3 suspects were later charged with the offence of fraud by false representation and have all now entered guilty pleas at court. 

The 38 year old woman has been sentenced to 120 hours community service and ordered to pay £125 for prosecution costs. 

The other 2 individuals will be sentenced later this year on May 11th.

Police have added this initial investigation led to the discovery of a number of other serious offences.

As such, the 39 year old woman has also entered a guilty plea to the offence of conspiracy to commit an act against public justice.

Meanwhile, The 40 year old man has entered guilty pleas to the possession of indecent images of children; possession of offensive weapons; conspiracy to commit an act against public justice; and theft. 

The theft matter refers to hundreds of undelivered home delivery parcels being recovered, with an estimated value of £10,000. 

Detective Inspector Steven Berry said "Thankfully this type of offending is extremely rare in the Isle of Man. I would also like to thank the wider public in assisting with our investigations which undoubtedly contributed to ensuring public justice has been served”.