Probation for bomb hoax man

A man who told police he had a bomb and would set it off has been sentenced to a year’s probation.

Thomas Paul Groom of Fairfield Terrace in Douglas appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes this week.

The 49 year old admitted making a hoax bomb alert on December 1 last year.

The court heard he’d dialled 999 drunkenly threatening to take his own life, but refused to open the door when police arrived.

When they said they’d force their way in, he said he had a bomb and would raze the property to the ground.

When officers managed to get inside, they found no device.

As well making the probation order, Mrs Hughes also ordered him to pay £125 costs and fined him £100 after learning he’d breached a conditional discharge.