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A former supermarket area manager who defrauded a clothing retailer by claiming the value of items he returned was higher than they were worth has been fined £2,100.

Andrew Corrie, 53, returned clothing including Marino wool and Cashmere jumpers to the Marks and Spencer store in Douglas between May 2023 and February this year.

Douglas Courthouse heard his actions had defrauded the branch of £290.

Magistrates chairman David Christian said Corrie had used a "sophisticated method" of concealing the true value of the clothing in a "fraudulent attempt to deceive".

The court heard Corrie, of Lakeside Road in Douglas, had carried out three offences between 23 May 2023 to 24 February 2024.

The court heard that the 53-year-old, who was working in a senior role at the Co-Op on the Isle of Man at the time, had since lost that job as result and was now working in the construction industry.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation.

The court heard Corrie, who had no previous convictions, was not struggling financially at the time of the offences.

His defence advocate said he had suffered "a great deal of trauma", had been dealing with two bereavement matters at the time, and had sought help since the offending.

Ordering Corrie to pay £290 in compensation to Marks and Spencer as well as £200 in court costs on top of the fine, Mr Christian said it was a "needless offence".

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