Prisoner said to have torn cell apart, causing £1,000 worth of damage

A prisoner at Jurby is said to have torn his cell apart, causing £1,000 worth of damage, because he saw a mouse.

Mark Phillip David Galbraith appeared before Deputy High Bailiff James Brooks at Douglas Courthouse.

The 35 year old, who’s serving a four-year jail term, entered no plea to a single charge of criminal damage at the prison on November 18 last year.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the hearing Galbraith destroyed furniture, fixtures and fittings in his cell on A Wing.

Galbraith, representing himself, told the hearing he’d spotted a mouse and panicked - claiming he’d already been disciplined under the prison’s internal procedures.

Mr Brooks adjourned the case and Galbraith will appear again for a pre-trial review hearing on April 26.