A Ramsey man has been sentenced to 150 hours community service by Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes after a brawl with his girlfriend’s father.

Stanley Terrance Thompson-Carey, aged 24, of Maycroft, pleaded guilty to an affray charge and was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

An original charge of assault causing actual bodily harm was withdrawn.

The court heard how, on October 3 last year, police were called to Tower Street in Ramsey after an off-duty police officer reported a fight taking place.

Police arrived and spoke to the father of Thompson-Carey’s girlfriend, who had blood on the top of his head.

The girlfriends dad said he was loading his vehicle in the car park when he felt a blow to his ribs from behind.

He said he was then thrown to the ground before being choked and punched. He admitted he had got a piece of wood out of his car and Thompson-Carey had left the scene.

Defence advocate Roger Kane said: ’There is a history of animosity which I don’t think it would benefit the court to go into.

’Mr Thompson-Carey accepts he initiated the physical altercation which resulted in them wrestling on the ground.

’A witness who knows both men intervened. My client accepts he may have bitten the other man, but only when he was on top of him and he was being suffocated. He also accepts he may have kicked the man but only after he had been kicked. It is perhaps fortunate his girlfriend’s father doesn’t appear alongside him.

’An off-duty police officer gave evidence that the other man kicked Mr Thompson-Carey while he was on the ground.

’The relationship is going to continue and it is always good to get on with your girlfriend’s father.

’Hopefully all parties can move on from this.’