A SANDOWN man who beat someone in a pub garden, who he alleged owed him money, has been sentenced at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

Harry Stafford, 25, appeared on Thursday after pleading guilty to one count of common assault.

The court heard how Stafford, of Downsview, Sandown, marched into the Old Comical Pub in Sandown where he assaulted a man.

Helen Easterbrook, prosecuting, said: "Mr Stafford and everyone involved were all known to each other prior to this incident on September 17 2018.

"The complainant entered the Old Comical Pub with a group of friends on the tail end of a night out in the town.

"Mr Stafford arrived and found the complainant in the beer garden, where he immediately punched him in the face.

"Mr Stafford had to be pulled off of the complainant by other people.

"This whole situation arises out of a debt that the complainant supposedly owed Mr Stafford.

"The following day, in interview, he told police that the victim came up to him and that he had hit him fearing he would be attacked himself."

For Stafford, Laura Deuxberry, said: "Mr Stafford gave full comments in interview and admitted his actions.

"This offence happened over 18 months ago and since then he has had the trial and this whole situation hanging over his head.

Judge Roger Hetherington sentenced Stafford to a 12-month community order comprising of ten rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £500.