Two men have admitted affray after an unprovoked attack in Strand Street in the early hours.

James Gerard Maginn and Jamie Daniel Trevor Watson punched and kicked their victim as he lay on the ground.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the two will be sentenced at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on August 20.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that a group of friends said that they left 1886 bar in Regent Street in Douglas at 1.55am on April 24.

They were standing talking outside Marks and Spencer when they saw Maginn, who is 22, and 21-year-old Watson approaching.

Some members of the group said that they knew the two men previously.

Maginn was said to have launched an attack out of nowhere, kicking one of the group three times, then throwing three uppercut punches to his head.

Watson was then said to have joined in kicking the man.

Witnesses said that there was kicking, punching and stamping involved in the attack.

A woman and man who were passing tried to intervene but the woman was struck by one of the two men who told her: ’I’d smash you. I’d bend you all over.’

After being arrested, during a police interview both men refused to answer questions.

The court heard that Maginn, who lives at Oak Avenue, Douglas, has convictions for affray and common assault from last year.

Ms Cubbon submitted that the offence was too serious for summary court sentencing.

David Clegg, representing Maginn, said there were no serious injuries caused, no pre-meditation, and no weapons used.

Mr Clegg said that, while this was a serious affray, it was not the most serious affray that had come before the court.

The advocate said that, after taking into account the credit for the guilty pleas, the case was borderline as to whether it should be committed to the higher court.

Watson, who lives at Falcon Cliff Terrace, Douglas, was represented by Ian Kermode who echoed Mr Clegg’s submissions.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that a probation report be prepared before sentencing.

Bail continues for both men in the sum of £500 with a condition to contact probation.