A man who was caught carrying a knuckle duster and a knife has been sentenced to 150 hours community service.

Przemyslaw Henryk Pasternak, of Belmont Terrace, who appeared in court with a Polish interpreter, was also ordered by magistrates to pay £125 prosecution costs.

The 35-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon, possessing a prohibited article in a public place, and possession of class C drugs.

We previously reported that police were called to Alder Road in Douglas on June 8 at 12.20am.

They had received a report of a man wearing a hooded top and combat trousers involved in an altercation with a man who was wearing a straw hat, t-shirt and shorts.

Police found Pasternak, who was said to be suffering from an eye injury. When officers searched him they found the knuckle duster and a lock knife in his pockets.

He told police: ’It’s for protection.’

Once at police headquarters a bag containing white capsules, later identified as pregabalin, was also found in his possession.

When interviewed Pasternak handed in a prepared statement saying that he had been attacked previously so he carried the items for protection. He said that he took the pregabalin for headaches.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood handed in a basis of plea for his client, in which Pasternak said that he had not been involved in any altercation and that the weapons were nothing to do with the drugs.

Mr Wood asked for credit to be given for his client’s guilty plea and his lack of previous similar convictions.

’This is a man who ordinarily works really hard. Covid has had an impact on his ability to work but he hopes to be back working shortly.’

The advocate said that Pasternak had been in the island for 13 years and sends money to his ill mother back in Poland.

’A custodial sentence would impact his ability to work and support his family,’ said Mr Wood.

’This is his first time before the court for these sorts of offences.’

Mr Wood went on to say that Pasternak had suffered a bleed on the brain as a result of an assault and had been self-medicating with the pregabalin.

A probation report assessed Pasternak as a low risk of reoffending or harm to others.

Magistrates ordered Pasternak to pay the costs at a rate of £20 per week.