Claims made in court that a hotel gave out free booze at a function when the air conditioning broke down were not true, an investigation has found.

The claim was made by a defendant who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm at a wedding reception at the Palace Hotel in Douglas.

He alleged that when air conditioning stopped working at the function, the hotel had started giving out free alcohol as compensation to guests.

Deputy High Bailiff Jayne Hughes said this caused her great concern and that she would be investigating the matter further.

Following an investigation, the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and the Isle of Man Constabulary’s central alcohol unit said they are satisfied that free alcohol was not provided by the Palace Hotel - but was in fact paid for by the bridegroom.

The Central Alcohol Unit has since confirmed that its officers were ’impressed with the Palace Hotel’s due diligence in running the premises with very high standards to ensure their licence is protected’.