Two men who launched an attack on a man in a Douglas sports shop on a Saturday afternoon have been convicted of affray.

Liam Scott Johnathon Murphy, of Murray’s Road, Douglas, and Nathan Samuel Wilson, of Belgravia, Douglas, punched their victim in front of horrified customers in JD Sports in Strand Street.

Murphy, who is 21, and 19-year-old Wilson pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced on March 13 after the preparation of a probation report.

Prosecutor Michael Jelski told the court how police were called to the shop at around midday on January 6 after a report of an altercation involving three men.

Witnesses reported seeing Murphy, who was an employee of the store but was off duty at the time, attack a man in the shop.

Wilson was then said to have joined in punching the man repeatedly.

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

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

Wilson then ran over and threw a number of punches at the man.

Customers in the shop at the time, including children, backed away in fear.

The manager of the shop said she thought about intervening but feared for her own safety.

She told police that she became aware of the incident when she heard customers shouting.

Murphy was said to have tried to provoke the man by removing his hat but when he did not get a reaction, punched him.

All three men were said to have left the shop but Murphy later returned and was arrested.

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

Wilson later handed himself in a police headquarters and was arrested.

He told police he had known the victim for a number of years and claimed that he had verbally abused his sister a few weeks before the incident.

Wilson said he saw it as an opportunity to get revenge and admitted punching him seven times but said that only two punches landed.

The court heard that the victim did not give a police statement and received no significant injuries as a result of the attack.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes accepted jurisdiction saying that her summary court powers would be sufficient for sentencing.

Bail was granted for both men in the sum of £500.