Two yobs launched a seemingly unprovoked attack on a man in a busy main street, forcing him to take refuge from them in a shop, a court has been told.

The attack was so extreme, one defendant was seen holding the victim still as the other threw punches at him.

Shane Paul Fayle and Rabelani Collen Nyamande targeted Zac Kelly as he was walking to the Co-op in Port Erin shortly after 8pm.

Michael Jelski for the prosecution, said the two 19-year-olds started off by shouting after Mr Kelly, one yelling ’gangster’ at him.

Fayle was more provokative, if less coherent, shouting: ’What you saying? You starting?’

Mr Jelski said Mr Kelly tried to reach the safety of the Co-op, but before he was able, Fayle smacked him in the face either with a fist or a palm, he couldn’t be certain which.

He again tried to walk away but both teenagers then stood in front of him hurling a torrent of invective.

’Mr Kelly thought they were trying to provoke him into a fight then assault him so he threw a punch to distract them, without making contact, then ran towards the Co-op intending to call the police,’ Mr Jelski told the court.

In fact, only Mr Kelly’s girlfriend reached the Co-op and asked someone to call 999, as horrified onlookers witnessed Nyamande holding Mr Kelly still by the hood of his jacket while Fayle threw punches at him.

Finally the victim managed to break free from the youths and took refuge in the Co-op, while a member of the Co-op staff stood guard at the door. Nyamande then approached the entrance and seeing Mr Kelly inside the shop gobbed at him through the door.

A further tussle ensued as Nyamande jostled with Co-op staff at the entrance, trying to knock them off balance as he attempted to spit into Mr Kelly’s mouth, the court was told.

Both youths then left but were later arrested after being spotted on a bus.

Mr Jelski said much of the March 5 incident was captured on CCTV and the images corroborated the account given by the victim and witnesses.

Both teenagers admitted using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to provoke violence or make a victim anticipate violence being used against him.

Fayle’s admission came with the caveat that there was a verbal altercation, he had grabbed Mr Kelly and there was a tussle. He had hit Mr Kelly but only once and not with a fist. Both were bailed pending completion of an all-options report and reappear before the court for sentencing on July 6.

Fayle must live at The Promenade, Port Erin and Nyamande at The Level, Colby. They must not contact Mr Kelly in the meantime.