Fine for man who punched shopper in Dealz

Union Mills resident ordered to pay man compensation

Punching a man in the face in a high street shop has cost a Union Mills resident £500.

John Alan Cooper, of Close Y Locker, committed the assault in Dealz, on Strand Street in Douglas, on 5 November.

The 56-year-old appeared at Douglas Courthouse where he admitted slapping the victim, who was known to him, around the head before throwing a punch.

The man sustained a swollen and cut lip and suffered pain and discomfort.

The court heard CCTV of the incident was reviewed by police who went to Cooper’s home to arrest him; when officers arrived he told them: “I knew you were coming.”

During sentencing Cooper’s advocate told the court her client had been aggrieved after learning the victim had ‘grabbed’ his son adding: “He is a protective father – his son is just 10-years-old.”

“He wishes he could have handled it in a different manner," she added; "He is very embarrassed by his actions."

Fining Cooper, and ordering him to pay £250 in compensation and £125 in prosecution costs, Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood told him: “This was not the appropriate way to deal with it.”