A love triangle sparked violence at the Woodbourne pub in Douglas a court has heard.

Darren Michael Bardsley lunged at a man, grabbing his throat, then pushing him.

The 56-year-old chef admitted common assault and was sentenced to 120 hours’ community service by magistrates. He was also banned from buying or being sold alcohol for 12 months.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Bardsley went to the Woodbourne in Alexander Drive on November 22 last year to meet his ex-partner’s new boyfriend.

Relations were said to be strained between the two men so they wanted to meet to resolve matters.

The woman’s new boyfriend brought another man with him who sat away from the two love rivals.

Bardsley and the man were said to be getting on ok but the third man was then said to have made a comment which Bardsley did not like.

Bardsley lunged at the third man, grabbing him by the throat, then pushing him away.

Mr Swain said that, while it was an unpleasant incident, only minor scratches to the man’s neck were caused.

Bardsley, who lives in Brighton Terrace, Douglas, was now said to be back in a relationship with the woman.

On December 1, Bardsley was stopped by police while driving a Hyundai car at Bridge Road in Ballasalla.

He was driving at 31mph in a 20mph zone and was given five days to produce his driving licence but failed to do so.

In court he pleaded guilty to both motoring offences.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said that the assault was fairly straightforward and that the two men had initially met to ’bury the hatchet’.

’It was a tense time for Mr Bardsley and he wanted to clear the air,’ said the advocate.

’Things were going well and Mr Bardsley decided to have one more drink. The third man joined them and Mr Bardsley’s ex-partner then joined them.

’When shown the CCTV footage he accepted he had made the first physical move towards the victim.’

Ms Cooil asked for her client to be spared a ban on entering licensed premises as it would inhibit his ability to work as a chef.

Magistrates fined Bardsley £200 for speeding and £100 for failing to produce his licence.

He was also ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs and his licence was endorsed with four points.