A man who claims to be the victim of bullying by a group of youths has himself been sentenced to community service after taking the law into his own hands.

The court heard Robert William James Houghton, aged 40, of College Street in Ramsey, had been sworn at, physically assaulted and had bottles thrown at his house over the last five years.

Advocate Ian Kermode said his client had made ’dozens and dozens of complaints to the police’ and ’nothing had been done’.

Prosecutor Rachel Braidwood said the matter came to a head last year with two incidents.

In the first, on May 22, the complainant said Houghton barged into him with his shoulder on Prince’s Road, Ramsey, and then thrown punches at the man.

Houghton was then said to have started throwing punches at the man.

The victim suffered a cut left ear, swollen knuckles and a bruised leg.

Houghton admitted barging the man and said he had then been pushed by him.

He said he had thrown several punches and attempted to kick the victim, who he said had thrown punches in return.

A second incident occurred on September 8 when Houghton was said to have come out of his house with a baseball bat when the group of youths were outside.

His advocate explained Houghton had been attacked earlier in the evening by three individuals and he had reported that at Ramsey police station.

Later on, Houghton had heard the youths outside his house shouting and had gone outside carrying the baseball bat for protection.

Mr Kermode said: ’The situation has dragged on and escalated through the years.

’One of those individuals, he would say, is the victim.

fuse

’That slow burning fuse in Mr Houghton reached its culmination at that chance meeting.

’Quite simply he lost his temper. He took the law into his own hands.’

Houghton admitted affray but entered a basis of plea saying he had been harassed and verbally abused by a number of youths, including the victim, and had made complaints to the police.

He also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

He was ordered to do 180 hours’ unpaid work and must pay £175 prosecution costs.

The court heard that Houghton had already served 25 days’ custody while on remand.