A court this week heard how shoppers watched in horror as two men attacked a man inside a Douglas sports shop.

Off-duty employee at JD Sports Liam Scott Johnathon Murphy, of George Terrace along with Nathan Samuel Wilson, of Belgravia, both punched their victim in the incident at the Strand Street store on January 6.

Murphy, aged 21, and 19-year-old Wilson both admitted affray and were each ordered to do 120 hours’ community service.

Police were called to the JD Sports at around midday on January 6 after a report of an altercation involving three men.

Witnesses reported seeing Murphy attack a man in the shop with Wilson then rushing over and joining in.

CCTV footage examined by police showed Murphy start the incident by grabbing his victim’s hat.

He then grabbed him by the neck and appeared to attempt to headbutt him, before punching him.

Wilson then ran over and threw a flurry of punches at the man. Customers in the shop, including children, backed away in fear.

The manager of the shop said she thought about intervening but feared for her own safety. All three men were said to have left the shop after the incident but Murphy later returned and was arrested.

In a police interview he said that he did not get on with the victim and that the man had said ’alright’ to him in a ’cheeky’ manner.

Wilson later handed himself in at police headquarters and told police he had known the victim for a number of years.

He claimed that the victim had verbally abused his sister a few weeks before the incident and that he had used the incident in the shop as a chance to get revenge.

He admitted punching him seven times but said that only two punches landed.

Defending Murphy in court advocate Paul Glover said of his client: ’He’s lost a lot as a result of this. He was in a job he loves.

’He had career prospects and was hopeful of progressing to management.

’He apologises to the victim and the public who witnessed the incident. It couldn’t have been pleasant for people shopping to have seen this situation get very much out of hand.

’He accepts he was immature in taking the hat. He hasn’t been able to obtain long term work due to the uncertainty of the outcome of today.’

Mr Glover asked the court to take into consideration Murphy’s guilty plea, the fact that he had no previous convictions, his remorse, and that there had been no injuries as a result of the incident.

Darren Taubitz defended Wilson and said his client has no previous convictions.

He said: ’Clearly he has a lot of growing up to do. He admits he was silly to involve himself in this incident.

’It wasn’t planned. Whilst in the store he saw Mr Murphy was involved in a fight and he showed poor judgement and ran to his assistance.’