A visitor from the UK has been fined £2,000 after he punched a bouncer at the Thirsty Pigeon pub, in Douglas.

Christian McKinley, of Station Road, Stechford, Birmingham, was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim after pleading guilty to a charge of common assault.

He appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes for sentencing on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old must pay both amounts, as well as £125 prosecution costs, forthwith or face up to 120 days in jail.

Mrs Hughes said that she was precluded from making an exclusion order against McKinley as his father lives in the island.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court how McKinley entered the Thirsty Pigeon, in Victoria Street, on February 7 at 11pm.

He was seen swaying and was said to be intoxicated so was asked to leave by the security man.

However, McKinley pushed the bouncer in the chest which resulted in a struggle during which McKinley punched the man in the eye. Other patrons in the pub assisted in removing McKinley from the premises and he was later arrested by police outside Barclays Bank.

Swelling

At police headquarters he was later interviewed and told police he was in the Isle of Man for a family event and had been at a party.

He said he could not recall anything after 10pm and did not remember any details of the assault.

The bouncer was said to have suffered swelling and discomfort to his eye.

Defence advocate Paul Glover said that his client had been due to leave the island on Monday this week but had rescheduled his flight for today (Thursday).

Mr Glover said that it was a difficult situation deciding upon a sentence given that McKinley was not a resident in the island.

The advocate said that McKinley was currently residing in a recovery centre in the UK for drug addiction.

Mrs Hughes said she would treat the matter as a one-off.

He was also banned from entering licensed premises and purchasing or being sold alcohol for one month, a ban which only applies in the island.