A Douglas man has been sentenced to community service after he threatened to stab a group of people after a work night out.

Joshua James McHarrie, of Alder Grove, was ordered to do 100 hours’ unpaid work and was also banned from licensed premises for three months.

We previously reported how, on December 17 at 1am, 24-year-old McHarrie was walking home after his Christmas works do.

As he went along Circular Road and then Peel Road he began talking to a group of six other people. The group said McHarrie had approached them in an aggressive manner so they told him to go away.

He briefly did but was then said to have returned and started to make threats to stab them saying: ’I’m happy to do 25 years to dip you guys. I’ll slit your throat.’

McHarrie’s abuse continued as he was said to have spat at two of the group and continued his rant saying: ’I’ll rape your sisters. Just wait till you get to Pulrose bridge. I’ll dip you.’

McHarrie was then said to have pulled something out of his pocket which the group thought was a knife.

He was confronted by one of the group and ran away but the police were called and he was located later near Pulrose power station.

As he was arrested he swore at police and said: ’You’re a joke you are.’

Defending McHarrie in court advocate Darren Taubitz handed in a character reference from his client’s grandmother.

The advocate said: ’The incident goes back to when he was on a works Christmas party. It appears there was a free bar.

’He is not a regular drinker and doesn’t have a great tolerance. He doesn’t have a great recollection bar being arrested. There is no rhyme or reason to his actions, he is upset and ashamed.

’There is no motive other than his level of intoxication.

’He was arrested and spent a night in custody as a result. He tells me he’s not consumed alcohol this year.’

Mr Taubitz went on to say that McHarrie would not oppose a licensing ban.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said while passing sentence: ’Your behaviour has been described as bizarre and that is the only way to describe it.

’I suspect it was the alcohol talking. Nevertheless, the words you used were vile.’

McHarrie was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs.

’I suspect it was the alcohol talking. Nevertheless, the words you used were vile.’