A 56-year-old man has been put on probation after what he described as ’hug that was too hard’ while he was drunk inside a post office.

Kevin Patrick Gallagher, of Prince’s Avenue, admitted an offence of common assault on a female and was sentenced to 12 months’ probation by magistrates.

Last week’s Manx Independent reported that Gallagher was at the Windsor Road post office in Douglas on October 22 at 2.20pm.

A witness described him as being ’very drunk’.

The complainant in the case, Gallagher’s cousin, then came into the post office and he was said to have greeted her using the wrong name.

She corrected him and he was then said to have put his arms around her neck and waist causing her pain and holding on to her for a short period of time.

He was then said to have swore at her and said: ’Hurt you? I’ll kill you,’ and repeatedly blew on her head, but he denied making that comment.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain said that the victim was suffering from a bad back at the time and Gallagher had kept hold of her until a member of staff intervened.

Gallagher attended a voluntary interview with police and said that he had no recollection of the incident but added that he drank every day.

After being shown CCTV footage of the incident Gallagher said: ’I can get heavy-handed when I’m drunk.

He apologised and said he had not intended to cause any harm saying he was a ’placid man who got louder and more brash when drunk’.

A basis of plea was entered by Gallagher in which he said he did not intend to cause any injury, saying that it was a ’hug that was too hard’. He accepted being reckless but denied making the ’I’ll kill you’ comment.

Gallagher also said he had not realised his cousin had a bad back at the time.

The basis, in relation to the comment, was not accepted by the prosecution but magistrates ruled that it would not make a difference to sentencing and Gallagher could be sentenced on his version of events.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’We have a man here asking for help. He is a very pleasant gentleman who clearly has issues. This was a misplaced effort at consolation while heavily intoxicated.

’It was clearly disturbing for the victim to be held in that way for a relatively brief period of time.’

Magistrates also ordered Gallagher to pay £50 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £5 per week deducted from benefits.