A 20-year-old from Foxdale has admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm.

Brydon Lee Skillen repeatedly punched his victim, then made him get on his knees and apologise before he would let him leave.

Skillen also admitted possessing 0.6 grams of cannabis.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told magistrates that the victim was outside the Outback, at 3.50am on March 8.

He engaged with a group which included Skillen and made a comment which prompted the defendant to become aggressive.

The victim backed away towards Lord Street, trying to leave, but the group followed, shouting at him.

They then surrounded him and he said he felt threatened, so he tried to punch Skillen.

The victim was pushed to the ground and Skillen punched him multiple times.

He again tried to leave but was followed and told he could only leave if he got on his knees and apologised, so he did.

The victim suffered swelling and bruising, with one of his eyes swollen shut, and was taken to hospital.

Skillen was located by police on Victoria Street, but made off and got away, only to be arrested the following day on Bray Hill.

A search found 0.6 grams of cannabis, valued by police at £12.

The court heard that Skillen, of Archallagan Terrace, has no previous convictions.

Duty advocate James Peterson asked magistrates to deal with the offence on the day, with a financial penalty, saying it was an unpleasant incident, but his client had not shied away from it, and had accepted the prosecution facts.

Mr Peterson said the incident had started when the complainant approached Skillen and made a moaning noise in his ear, but he accepted he'd significantly overreacted.

Magistrates ordered a probation report, telling Skillen: ‘The bench are quite disgusted at what you did. This is a vicious attack.’

Sentencing will take place on October 15, with bail granted.