A retired teacher has been fined after swearing at his wife and throwing her clothes down the stairs during a row.

Paul Tipping, who formerly worked at Ramsey Grammar School, admitted an offence of provoking behaviour.

The offence also put 62-year-old Tipping, of Main Road, Onchan, in breach of a 12-month binding order imposed in February after a previous incident involving his wife. Prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how Tipping’s wife had returned home with her brother at 3am on August 16.

Tipping was said to be asleep on the sofa but when he awoke became abusive, swearing and throwing an iPad onto the floor.

He was then said to have lunged at this brother-in-law and when police arrived they found him throwing his wife’s clothes down the stairs.

He was said to be slurring his words, unsteady on his feet and smelling of alcohol.

He was subsequently arrested and taken to police headquarters.

When interviewed he admitted he had been drinking but said that his wife repeatedly provokes him and that she was the instigator.

Tipping said that he could not fully recall events but admitted swearing repeatedly.

He claimed that his wife intended to steal all his money and property and described her as ’vicious, malicious, cold and calculating’.

Row

When asked about lunging at his brother-in-law Tipping said there had been no physical altercation but admitted rowing with him.

Defence advocate Jane Gray said that her client had taught at Ramsey Grammar School for more than 20 years and had been head of a school year.

’He is a man of good character and he has lost that now,’ said the advocate.

’He admits drinking on the evening in question.

’He stated that there had been a party for family and friends and he was feeling very tired.

’He says his wife is often very demeaning towards him and he receives daily criticism which he finds intolerable.

’He deals with it by walking away but on this evening because he was very tired he admits swearing and throwing articles down the stairs.’

Ms Gray went on to say that Tipping had spent five days in custody after his arrest and asked for that to be taken into account when magistrates sentenced him, as well as his age, guilty plea, and the fact that there had been no violence.

Magistrates ordered Tipping to pay £250 in relation to breaching the binding order and fined him £350 for provoking behaviour, bringing his total penalty to £600.

He must also pay £125 prosecution costs and will pay at a rate of £100 per month.