A man has been sentenced to community service after an assault on his disabled brother.

David Anthony Dudziak, of Derby Road, Douglas, admitted punching his brother, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

The 38-year-old, who had the assistance of a Polish interpreter in court, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and was ordered this week to do 160 hours of unpaid work by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes.

The incident occurred on May 14 after the brothers had rowed over finances.

Mrs Hughes took into account the fact that Dudziak had served five weeks on remand, the equivalent of a 10-week custodial sentence.

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Defence advocate Michael Mudge told the court that his client had no previous convictions and handed in letters of reference for his client.

’I would submit this incident was totally out of character,’ said the advocate.

’The incident blew up out of pressure. Mr Dudziak is a highly educated man who has worked on the island for two years.

’I would submit that it speaks volumes that his current employer has kept his employment open for him despite his guilty plea.’

Mr Mudge went on to refer to a probation report which said that Dudziak had ’found himself in a cycle of stress’ which suggested that he was ’pushed to the edge’ when there had been an argument over finances.

The report also said that Dudziak had underestimated the difficulties involved in caring for his brother.

’He fully admits what he did was wrong and is truly remorseful for his actions,’ said Mr Mudge.

’There was a lack of pre-meditation and a degree of provocation. This has been a difficult experience for him as he has not been in trouble before.’

The court heard that Dudziak’s brother had since returned to his homeland of Poland.

Mrs Hughes told Dudziak she was sentencing him on the basis that the offence had been a momentary loss of control but said: ’He should have been safe in your care.’