A 33-year-old man who beat a friend unconscious has been jailed for 36 months at a Court of General Gaol.

Marc Daniel Moore, of Close-y-Lhergy, Union Mills, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Eric Cowin.

The prosecution said the unprovoked attack happened in late February last year at a house in Pulrose.

Mr Cowin sustained serious facial injuries, including fractures, and was unconscious when he was taken to the intensive therapy unit at Noble's Hospital.

A witness in the house told police she saw Moore stamping on Mr Cowin several times as he lay on the ground.

James Davis reports (audio file attached):

Moore's advocate said the pair had been friends and her client was unable to say why he'd attacked Mr Cowin.

He'd been drinking and taking medication and had no recollection of what'd happened, but was very upset and showed a deep sense of remorse.

In passing sentence, Deemster Doyle said the attack was unprovoked, Moore had several previous convictions for violence and his victim had sustained multiple injuries.

He said there was too much violence on the Island which had to stop and people could expect severe sentences if they got involved.

In addition to his jail term, Moore's licence period was extended to five years.