A 24-year-old Douglas man this week admitted threatening to stab a group of people after a drunken night out.

Joshua James McHarrie, of Alder Grove, pleaded guilty to a charge of behaviour likely to cause belief immediate unlawful violence may be used.

He will be sentenced on March 13 after the preparation of a probation report.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the Deputy High Bailiff how, on December 17 at 1am, McHarrie was walking home after a Christmas works event.

As he walked along Circular Road and then Peel Road he began talking to a group of six other people.

The group said McHarrie approached them in an aggressive manner so they told him to go away.

He briefly did but was then said to have returned.

When the group reached the Brown Bobby garage McHarrie was said to have made threats to stab them saying: ’I’m happy to do 25 years to dip you guys.

’I’ll slit your throat.’

McHarrie’s abuse continued as he was said to have spat at two of the group and said: ’I’ll rape your sisters. Just wait till you get to Pulrose bridge. I’ll dip you.’

McHarrie was then said to have pulled something out of his pocket which the group thought was a knife.

He was confronted by one of the group and ran away but the police were called and he was located later near Pulrose power station.

As he was arrested he swore at police and said: ’You’re a joke you are.’

When interviewed by police McHarrie denied speaking with anyone or having a knife.

Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw handed in a basis of plea on behalf of his client in which McHarrie said he was not carrying a knife and it had been a cigarette lighter he had pulled out of his pocket.

He said that he had little recollection of interacting with the group after a works night out but accepted the language used as presented by the prosecution.

Bail was granted in the sum of £500 with conditions that McHarrie reside at his home address, contact probation, and not leave the island without court permission.