A 41-year-old, who knocked a man unconscious with a punch, has been handed a suspended sentence.

Gary King was arrested after the incident on Castle Street in Douglas on July 16.

Video footage of the assault had been circulated on social media, and was played to magistrates in court.

They sentenced King to five months’ custody, suspended for two years, and put him under supervision for 12 months.

He must also pay the victim £750 compensation.

Prosecuting advocate Harry Bellis told magistrates that the victim had been at Quids Inn, in Douglas, on the night in question.

He left and, on Castle Street, was involved in an argument between two groups.

King asked someone to hold his bag, then walked up to the victim and punched him, causing him to fall to the ground and lose consciousness.

He could be seen in the video being helped to his feet by friends afterwards.

King was arrested on July 17 and answered ‘no comment’ to all questions during an interview.

Mr Bellis said: ‘The incident was relatively short, but one that could have had serious consequences.’

The prosecutor said that the victim had suffered cuts to his elbow.

In court, King, of Willaston Crescent, Douglas, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Defence advocate Ian Kermode said: ‘You’ve clearly seen the video. It was a single punch. The victim was not known to Mr King.

'It was a chance encounter, with no pre-planning.

‘Words were exchanged between parties. Something was said that triggered Mr King to do what he did.’

Mr Kermode said that the defendant was intoxicated and that it had played a part in his actions.

The advocate said that King had gone back to check on the victim, which he said was not seen in the video, and showed immediate remorse, but had been told to go away.

Magistrates chair Lisa Horton said: ‘This was an extremely nasty offence.

‘It could have turned out to be a fatal blow given different circumstances.’

King must also pay £125 prosecution costs and will pay at a rate of £100 per month.