A 17-year-old was given a probation order after fracturing another teenager’s nose by punching him at an 18th birthday party.

William Taisia of Park Road, Port St Mary, appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas courthouse on Thursday (June 25).

He had previously admitted one count of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH).

Prosecutor Rebecca Cubbon told the court that on October 31 last year Taisa had attended a party where he confronted a young man and said: ’I respect that you’re a rugby player, but you’re cocky because you moved school’.

The victim went to the bathroom where he overheard Taisa speaking aggressively about him to others.

He then made his escape out of the window.

Partygoers warned him that Taisa was ’going to hit him’ and to therefore keep his distance.

Rivalry

The court heard that Taisa approached the victim again and struck him in the face.

The incident left the victim with a fractured nose.

Taisa later apologised at the party for hitting him, but added that he still thought he was ’cocky for moving schools’.

The victim was said to have replied: ’That’s fine, but I still don’t know why you did it.’

Defence advocate Andrew Baker described the incident as a ’serious matter’ and said that Taisa’s actions where an ’immature response to what appears to be a rugby rivalry’.

’In many ways William’s age doesn’t excuse him for that,’ Mr Baker added.

The defendant was given a probation order for 18 months.

He was ordered to pay compensation of £500 to his victim and must also pay court costs of £50.

This is to be paid £100 monthly from July 24.