A Ramsey man who punched a man in a busy street in Douglas has been sentenced to community service.

Lewis Jack Moulder Kelly, aged 20, of North Shore Road, admitted affray and was ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

We previously reported that police were called to the area of Castle Street and Strand Street, in Douglas on July 23 at 4pm. Kelly was captured on CCTV footage involved in a verbal and physical altercation wih two other men.

Kelly was seen arguing with the men who then walked away but Kelly was then seen to punch one of them from behind, hitting him in the side of the head.

This took place during a busy afternoon in the shopping street.

Kelly had fled the scene by the time police arrived and was chased on foot, eventually being caught in Derby Square Lane.

When interviewed, Kelly told police he had drunk a bottle of vodk and wine before the incident.

And he claimed he had been headbutted by the victim’s father before punching the man.

Affray

He was said to have blood coming from his nose where he said he had been butted.

The court heard that Kelly has a number of previous convictions, with one being for an offence of affray in May this year.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’I suspect the court takes a dim view of violence on the streets but I would submit this was not the most serious of affrays to come before us.’

Mr Wood said that Kelly knew his victim as they were part of the same social circle.

’Thankfully this is not a case where any blood has been spilled except for my clients,’ said the advocate.

’Mr Kelly accepts his wrongdoing but the proof is in the pudding.

’He appears for his second affray.

’It’s important he doesn’t go drinking bottles of vodka.

’We hope it’s a message that’s sinking in.’

Mr Wood added that Kelly was only 19 at the time of the offence and that he was now engaging with the drug and alcohol team.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes agreed that the affray was at the bottom end of the scale and had not seemed to spill out and involve members of the public.

Kelly was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £15 per week, deducted from benefits.