A 20-year-old who punched a man and kicked him in the face has been handed a suspended sentence.

Leighton Michael Carl Higham appeared before Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood on October 6.

He was sentenced to 14 weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, and also made the subject of a two-year suspended sentence supervision order.

We previously reported that Higham was involved in an argument with the victim at Victoria Street in Douglas, on July 20, at 1.20am.

Higham punched him twice in the head, causing him to fall to the ground, then kicked him in the face.

The victim was bleeding and suffered a cut under his chin, but did not want to make a complaint.

CCTV footage from Starbucks captured the incident.

Higham claimed that threats had been made about his mother and sister, but that the victim had been unknown to him.

He was initially charged with common assault, but that was then changed to affray, which he pleaded guilty to.

Defence advocate Kaitlyn Shimmin asked for credit to be given for her client’s guilty plea.

She said that Higham was remorseful for his actions.

Ms Shimmin said that comments had been made by the victim, but the defendant did not wish to justify his actions.

‘He understands his actions could have caused significant injury,’ said the advocate.

Higham, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, was said to have successfully completed a previous sentence involving two years of supervision from 2024.

Deputy High Bailiff Ms Braidwood said: ‘There is no excuse for extreme violence.’

‘The victim was injured, but thankfully it was not serious.

‘You should consider yourself fortunate the offence you were facing was not considerably more serious.’

The defendant must also pay £125 prosecution costs, at a rate of £15 per week, deducted from benefits.