A Douglas teenager has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service after admitting assaulting a man.

Thomas James McBurnie, of Palace Road, received the sentence as a direct alternative to 20 weeks of custody.

The court heard how, on October 2 at 3.15am, the victim of the assault left the Outback in Barrack Street in Douglas, with a friend.

In Strand Street the two men met a group of men, which included 19-year-old McBurnie.

McBurnie pushed one of the two men into a wall, swearing at him and saying: ’I’ll make a name for myself. I’ll wipe the floor with the lot of you.’

He then borrowed a phone from another man and said: ’I’m going to get my brother, then you won’t be smiling.’

At this point the two men walked away on to the promenade.

They turned and saw McBurnie and the group following them. McBurnie walked quickly towards them and then punched one of the men and kneed him, knocking him to the ground.

The court heard the other man tried to intervene but McBurnie punched him in the face and head several times saying: ’What’s your problem?’.

He then hit the man who was on the ground again.

McBurnie left the scene and the two men had to be taken to hospital.

He was shown CCTV footage of the assault but was still in denial, saying it was not him on the footage.

Only one assault was pursued as one of the two men was not willing to make a statement.

The other man suffered bruising and swelling to his eyes.

Defending McBurnie, advocate Paul Glover told the court: ’Bear in mind my client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. He is in full-time employment and has self-imposed an alcohol ban.

’He has demonstrated his eagerness and willingness to complete the matter as soon as possible.’

Magistrates chairman Alan Gelling told McBurnie while passing sentence: ’With probation you reflected on the offence as stupid and embarrassing. It was far worse than that. It was downright nasty.

’A very serious unprovoked assault in Douglas town centre in the early hours. The only explanation you can give is you were drunk.

’It was our initial thought that we should send you to custody. But we have noted you are now in employment and would lose your employment.’

McBurnie was also banned from entering licensed premises, must not buy or be sold sold alcohol for two years, and was ordered to pay £150 to his victim.