A Douglas man who sent malicious texts to his former partner’s boyfriend has escaped an immediate prison sentence.

Thirty-eight year-old Brendan Murphy, of Rosemount admitted affray and making malicious calls when he appeared before High Bailiff Michael Moyle.

The court head he sent text messages for his former partner’s new boyfriend between November last year and January this year.

In mid-February he met up with the man and got involved in a fight with him in Willow Terrace, Douglas.

The court was told Murphy was upset when saw his three children and ex-partner in a car driven by her new boyfriend.

Murphy claimed he had been inundated with calls from her and regretted sending the texts.

He said he had been asked to meet the man in Willow Terrace, but didn’t go there to assault him and hadn’t started the fight.

Mr Moyle said he accepted Murphy wasn't the instigator, and sentenced him to three months in jail, suspended for two years.