A man must carry out unpaid work after a row with his estranged wife over passports.

Ivaylo Blagov Stanchev, aged 40, of Tynwald Street, Douglas, admitted provoking behaviour and was ordered by High Bailiff Jayne Hughes to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

He appeared in court with the assistance of a Bulgarian interpreter.

We previously reported that Stanchev arrived at his estranged wife’s home at Clifton Terrace on April 14.

He later told police that passports had been taken from his house.

asking

Stanchev remained outside the woman’s home for 10 to 15 minutes before then going in and asking for the passports.

His wife tried to close the door before he could enter but she said that he pushed his way in, something which Stanchev denied.

He was said to be shouting and the woman said she called the police as Stanchev tried to take her phone from her and then began rummaging around looking for the passports.

Stanchev also denied this and said that he left.

The court heard that he has a previous conviction for an assault on his wife.

Advocate Paul Glover said: ’Mr Stanchev has accepted the prosecution case. Fortunately there were no injuries or violence. He accepts he should have dealt with this situation very differently.

’He should have reported the matter to the police who could have dealt with the situation properly.

’He is aware custody is an option, especially bearing in mind the previous assault against her.

’However, taking into account his guilty plea, the low level of the offence, the background, and his full-time employment, a suspended sentence would act as a massive deterrent and add a protective factor to the situation.’