Custody officer caught with cannabis at courthouse

A court custody officer who was caught with cannabis in a backpack at Douglas Courthouse has been sentenced.

Dylan Whittaker, who was working for security company Bidvest Noonan, was reported by a colleague after he was seen whispering with a former prisoner on 22 July.

Douglas Courthouse heard the 25-year-old was arrested the following day after police found £112 worth of the drug in his bag during a search of the custody suite.

Deemster Graeme Cook sentenced him to eight months in prison, suspended for a year.

The court heard that in his role Whittaker, of Douglas, had been responsible for transporting between high risk institutions such as the courthouse, Police Headquarters in Douglas, and the Isle of Man Prison in Jurby.

On 22 July a colleague grew suspicious after seeing him whispering with a former prisoner outside the courthouse, before being handed a drink, suspected to contain prescription drugs, the court was told.

When he was asked what was in the bottle he did not respond, and concerns were raised with the firm's management, who called the police.

The subsequent police search found a clear bag containing two wraps of herbal cannabis, and an empty grinder.

Whittaker pleaded guilty to bringing prohibited articles into an institution and possession of cannabis.

Deemster Graeme Cook said Whittaker was "very fortunate" to be facing those charges, and the sentence had been based on those "and not what could be inferred by the surrounding circumstances".

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