A wedding guest broke the best man’s nose at the reception, a court heard.

Christopher John Crellin, of Princes Avenue, Douglas, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm at the family wedding.

The 31-year-old was sentenced to 20 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £750 compensation to his victim.

Crellin claimed that when air conditioning stopped working at the function at the Palace Hotel, in Douglas, the hotel had started giving out free alcohol as compensation to guests.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said this caused her great concern and that she would be investigating the matter further in her capacity as chairman of the licensing court, adding that water could equally have been provided.

We previously reported how, on July 27 at about 10.50pm, police were called to a wedding reception at the Palace Hotel.

The victim said he had approached Crellin on a fire escape to speak to him about his behaviour at the reception.

He said Crellin pushed him, causing him to fall down the stairs, then grabbed him and began punching him in the face. He was said to have suffered a black eye and broken nose.

A witness said that Crellin showed no sign of stopping punching the man until he was pulled off him by other people.

Crellin gave a ’no comment’ interview to police.

Defence advocate Paul Glover asked for credit to be given to his client for his guilty plea.

The advocate said: ’Mr Crellin is incredibly sorry for what happened. It was a family wedding. Mr Crellin went with every intention of enjoying the occasion, not with the intention of causing anyone any harm.’

Mr Glover said the probation report referred to Crellin saying guests were given free alcohol.

’He accepts he lost his self control and events took a turn for the worse. He is incredibly sorry for his actions and particularly his cousin who was getting married that day. He understands his actions have cast a shadow over the event.’

Mr Glover went on to say that a doctor’s report had recommended that Crellin seek therapy and that he was engaging with the Drug and Alcohol Team.

Mrs Hughes said while passing sentence: ’This was undoubtedly a serious offence.

’It occurred on a fire escape and your basis is that you pushed him and he fell down the stairs, then you repeatedly punched him before being pulled off. The victim suffered a fractured nose and bruising to his face but he could very easily have received a more serious injury.’

Crellin was ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.