A Peel man has been jailed for 12 weeks after punching his mother in a pub.

Ryan Lee Shepherd, of Creggans Avenue, pleaded guilty to a charge of disorderly behaviour on licensed premises after initially denying the offence.

He was also banned from licensed premises for 18 months.

Prosecutor Richard Butters told the court how, on December 28 just after midnight, Shepherd was drinking in the Legion pub in Peel with his parents.

He was said to have lashed out at his mother, punching her in the face.

The Legion licensee intervened and tried to remove Shepherd from the pub but the 25-year-old was said to have grabbed the licensee’s neck then threw a punch at him which missed.

He was removed from the pub with assistance from a member of the public and subsequently arrested.

Shepherd initially pleaded not guilty to the offence but later changed his plea to guilty.

He entered a basis of plea in which he said that he suspected that his drink had been spiked by someone as he had only drunk four or five pints and said that he was not drunk.

He accepted that he had punched his mother in the face but added that, luckily, it was not a powerful punch, and she did not suffer any injuries.

He also accepted throwing a punch at the licensee which did not connect.The court heard that Shepherd had previous convictions for unlawful wounding in 2013 and resisting police in 2012.

Defence advocate Darren Taubitz said that enquiries had been made regarding Shepherd’s claim that his drink was spiked but added: ’Unfortunately, a key person who may have been able to assist would not co-operate so he decided not to pursue it any further.

’On the night, he recalls going to the Legion but can only remember half an hour of being there. He left a drink on the side then went back to his table. He had drunk a relatively small amount, four or five pints. He has now stopped drinking. He would say he was not intoxicated. He suspected his drink was spiked, he lashed out and punched his mum in the face. He accepts he threw a punch at the licensee when he was being physically removed.

’There was no rhyme or reason for his actions, no argument. He realises his actions were inexplicable. He had to stay away from his parents for a couple of weeks but has a very good relationship with them.

’He has made efforts to try and turn his life around. He has shown a propensity for change and looked at his drinking habits.’

Magistrates’ chair Carol Maddrell said while passing sentence: ’This was a violent offence on licensed premises.’