A 21-year-old man who swore at an autistic child then assaulted two men in a mini crime spree has been jailed for nine months.

Lewis Jack Moulder Kelly, of St Ninian’s Road, Douglas, pleaded guilty to provoking behaviour and two counts of common assault.

The three offences were committed separately but within three hours of each other.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes sentenced him to five months in custody for the three crimes but they put him in breach of a suspended sentence imposed in September for threatening a community service organiser.

Mrs Hughes activated the suspended sentence of four months and ordered that it run consecutively to the five months bringing Kelly’s total sentence to nine months.

The court heard that, on November 25 at 3.45pm, Kelly went into Gourmet Shakes in Castle Street, Douglas.

He then swore at the child saying ’what are you looking at?’ causing a woman to intervene.

Another man, who was with Kelly, then came into the cafe and asked the woman: ’Are you starting on my mate?’

They left but then at 4pm Kelly was walking on Church Road Marina when he was said to have approached a man this time, swearing and saying: ’What are you laughing at?’

Kelly then started pushing the man before walking off towards Villa Marina gardens.

At 6.25pm Kelly’s spree continued as he again approached a man in Sidney Street and said: ’Why are you messaging my bird? Are you talking to my girlfriend?’

Kelly then punched him in the face and pushed him against a parked car before punching him again three or four times and kneeing him in the groin.

He was later arrested at his home address and in relation to the last offence told police: ’I’m not gonna lie, I did cane him yeah.’

But he then denied the incidents in Gourmet Shakes and at Church Road Marina.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood said: ’Unfortunately Mr Kelly hasn’t learnt from the last sentence imposed upon him.’

Mr Wood asked the court to consider issues regarding his client’s background which had been raised when the suspended sentence was imposed but said that there was on real alternative to custody.

’He accepts he was intoxicated,’ said the advocate. ’He is deeply apologetic for the offence he has caused, particularly in relation to the provoking behaviour. There is no justification to speak to a child in that way.

’He needs to learn from his mistakes and not come before the court again because his sentences will get progressively harsher.’

Mr Wood referred to a probation report which had mentioned long-standing difficulties.

High Bailiff Mrs Hughes told Kelly: ’You have a big problem and you need to address it if you’re not going to spend a long time in custody in the future.’

Kelly was also banned from buying or being sold alcohol for six months.