A 47-year-old man has been fined £1,000 after sparking a fight in Douglas on a Saturday afternoon.

Ian Richard Watson, of Keppel Road, Douglas, admitted affray with the court hearing the brawl was triggered by a family feud.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court how, on August 25 at 3.11pm, the other man involved, who has denied affray, was driving along Castlemona Avenue in the direction of Central Promenade.

Watson was walking along Clarence Terrace when he spotted the man and approached his car.

Initially there was a confrontation through the open car window but the man was then said to have got out of the car as things escalated.

Watson attempted to punch the man and the scuffle ended up with both men on the ground.

They were separated by members of the public and when police arrived both men were arrested.

Watson gave a ’no comment’ interview but the other man said that Watson ran up to his car and began shouting at him, banging on the vehicle.

The man said Watson had grabbed shopping from the car and threw it at him.

He admitted getting out but claimed he acted in self-defence, restraining Watson.

Watson’s advocate, Peter Russell, entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client.

In the basis, Watson said he was walking with his daughter and her children when he saw the man in his car.

Watson said that there was a non-molestation order in place barring the man from seeing his daughter.

He said that punches were thrown by both of them but that none connected.

Mr Russell said that it was an unfortunate coincidence that Mr Watson had come across the man.

’He is the estranged partner of Mr Watson’s daughter,’ said the advocate.

’There is a history of violence. Looking at it from Mr Watson’s point of view, if he is accurate in what he says, emotions were running high.

’Mr Watson, as a younger man, was not a stranger to the courts. However, as is often the case, he grew up and matured. Other than a couple of tax matters, he has kept his nose clean. He has been living a law-abiding life for a number of years.’

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said that Watson’s behaviour was made worse by the fact it was in front of his two young grandchildren and daughter.

’It wasn’t necessary for you to approach the car,’ said Mrs Hughes.

Watson was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.