Two teenagers have been fined a total of £1,050 after a late night attack in Strand Street.

Kye Mason, of Arbory Street, Castletown, and Ankit Adhikari, of Empress Drive, Douglas, both admitted punching the man several times after he refused to give them a football he was carrying.

Both pleaded guilty to an offence of common assault.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes fined Mason £550 and Adhikari £500 and also ordered the pair to pay £250 compensation each to their victim.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that the victim was walking along Strand Street at 10.50pm on October 29 carrying a football.

Mason, who is 18, and 19-year-old Adhikari were walking towards him and they were said to have made comments asking him to give them the ball. He refused but Adhikari was then said to have taken the ball from him which resulted in words being exchanged and the altercation becoming physical.

Adhikari ended up on the ground with the man and both he and Mason were then said to have punched the victim several times before running off.

The man did not suffer any serious injuries but had to have a laceration glued.

Both teenagers were later arrested at their homes after CCTV captured the incident.

When interviewed they both gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.

Advocate Stephen Wood represented Mason and said: ’Since the incident I understand Mr Mason has lost his job. He has moved to the UK to live with his grandmother and got employment so he intends to continue to reside there.

’His recollection is somewhat cloudy. He is going to need to moderate his drinking in future.

’What started off as a bit of horseplay has got nasty.’

Mr Wood asked for credit to be given for Mason’s guilty plea and the fact that he has no previous adult convictions.

Louise Cooil, representing Adhikari, said her client has also left the island since the incident after he had been working here.

Ms Cooil said her client had seen the victim the week after the assault and had apologised to him.

’It would not have happened had drink not been involved,’ said the advocate.

’It initially appears to have been banter and teasing but has escalated.’

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told the teenagers: ’It must have been quite frightening for your victim to be approached by two drunk young men.

’Had you been older and had a different record I would have been considering custody.’

The duo were also banned from entering licensed premises, and purchasing or being sold alcohol for four weeks.