Pair to be sentenced next month after homophobic assault

The court heard the complainant was walking on Victoria Street when they got talking to the duo

Two men from Douglas will be sentenced next month after admitting assaulting a man in the early hours of the morning.

Tomas Gear, of York Road, and Nathan Halsall, of Alder Road both pleaded guilty during an appearance at Douglas Courthouse.

The court heard the complainant was walking on Victoria Street in Douglas at 2:30am on 4 April with a friend after a night out when they got talking to the duo, who were with a third man at the time.

None of them knew each other, but the conversation descended into a verbal argument.

The man and his friend then attempted to walk away, but Gear and Halsall, both aged 31, followed them to Duke Street.

Due to their behaviour, the complainant told his friend to start filming on her phone; the men hit it from her hand, before turning on the victim.

The court heard the pair landed several blows, including kicking the man, before police witnessed the assault taking place and intervened.

It's believed the assault was homophobic in nature.

The court heard that in interview, the pair said they 'didn't recall' being homophobic, but that examples given of what they would potentially say were considered so by officers.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood supported calls for a full social enquiry report before sentence, saying the fact the assault had its 'basis in homophobia' was the 'most concerning aspect' of the case.

Separately, Gear also pleaded guilty to criminal damage, after he flooded a police cell whilst in custody at police headquarters.

Both Gear and Halsall will be sentenced on 23 June; they have been bailed until that date.