A 43-year-old man has been fined £600 after bad blood resulted in him grabbing his twin brother in Strand Street.

John Charles Hamilton, of Howstrake Drive, Onchan, admitted an offence of provoking behaviour which took place outside Capone’s Diner in Douglas, on October 11.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to common assault and property damage and a trial was set to take place on April 24.

But those charges were withdrawn after he agreed to plead guilty to the replacement charge of provoking behaviour.

Prosecuting advocate Hazel Carroon told the court that Hamilton argued with his twin outside the diner, grabbing him and pushing him against shutters.

He was said to have crushed his brother’s glasses before leaving the scene.

Police arrested him but he claimed he had acted in self-defence.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood told the High Bailiff: ’We don’t seek to minimise the incident but there is a background history.

’There have been significant differences between the complainant and the family as a whole.

’This would seem to relate to money given to the complainant by the family and family concerns over how the money was being used.

’Mr Hamilton was invited to meet his brother after there had been talk of giving money back but his brother would seem to have then had a change of heart. Tempers have frayed.

’Mr Hamilton accepts he lost his temper and pushed him but there was pushing between the two men.

’My client’s own glasses were knocked off as were the complainant’s.’

Mr Wood went on to say that there had been a compensation claim from the complainant for his glasses in the sum of £215 but it had later transpired that they cost less than £10.

’We would ask the court to step away from any compensation order,’ said the advocate.

’That is unlikely to improve family relations. It was a regrettable incident.

’There were people who witnessed it and they shouldn’t have to see disagreements between family members in the street.’

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes also ordered Hamilton to pay £125 prosecution costs.

Mrs Hughes told Hamilton: ’It was an unpleasant incident. You should have kept your disputes private.’

He was given three months to pay the fine and costs.