Michael Fitzsimmons, a 39-year-old from Liverpool, was arrested after police found drugs worth thousands of pounds at a holiday property in Port Erin on 23 October, before the February 2023 sentencing.[1] Police went to the Airbnb-registered property in Erin Way at about 19:00 BST after a report of a domestic incident.[1] Fitzsimmons and his girlfriend, who was on the island with him, denied they had been arguing and said they had been shouting at a dog.[1] Asked about the strong smell of cannabis when they opened the door, he said he had “just smoked a joint” and that there was one more in the property.[1]

A search found a red plastic bag on a chair holding £1,744 of cannabis and a further £38 worth in a brown box.[1] Officers also found wraps of ketamine valued at up to £3,180, digital weighing scales and four mobile phones.[1] About £700 in cash was in a black bag, with a further £1,100 found in a coat.[1]

Fitzsimmons pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, possession of ketamine with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.[1] Douglas Courthouse jailed the 39-year-old for 21 months.[1] Deemster Graeme Cook also made an exclusion order banning him from returning to the island for five years after his release.[1]