An 18 year old man who carried out a 'vicious and unprovoked attack' in Onchan has been jailed for two years.
Richard David Fowler of Murrays Road in Douglas admitted he punched Richard Hird in March.
After being arrested on a bus the defendent initially denied the attack, but forensic testing showed contact between his clothing and Mr Hird's.
Kate Skinner reports:
(Text of attached audio)
Rachel Braidwood, prosecuting, told the court Fowler was aggressive and intimidating to Mr Hird - making comments about his clothing and hair.
Fowler punched Mr Hird several times and he suffered serious facial injuries which needed corrective surgery.
Advocate Darren Taubitz said the defendent, who had 20 pages of previous convictions, had a chaotic childhood spent in care, was the classic product of a broken home, and relied heavily on alcohol and substances.
In sentencing, Deemster Doyle said it was a vicious and unprovoked attack - not one blow but several - and he advised Fowler to take any advice and help offered to him in custody.
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