A 35-year-old man who picked up a knife during a row over a Facebook post with his wife has been fined £1,000.

Jason Guttic Battad appeared in court via video link from the prison and admitted an offence of provoking behaviour after an initial charge of affray was withdrawn.

His wife retracted her statement after the incident.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that Battad became angry about a Facebook post he said his wife had made on October 21.

He was said to have woken her up by shouting loudly and demanded that she remove the post.

His wife denied writing the post and she said that he then raised his hand with her fearing he was about to hit her, but then went to the kitchen.

She said he returned holding a knife saying ’take down the post’ and that she was ’terrified’ so she moved so that there was a table between the couple.

She said that Battad pointed the knife at her, though he denied this.

The couple’s two young children were said to have been present during the incident.

The woman said that she left the house and flagged down a passing driver who called 999.

The driver said said that Battad’s wife had come out of the house and said: ’Help me please, he’s got a knife.’

He said that he then saw Battad come out of the house but turn away as though he was trying to conceal something.

Police arrived and arrested him. During a police interview Battad said he had arrived in the island on October 19 to join his wife who was working here.

Ms Cubbon said that, although Mrs Battad had retracted her statement, she was not saying it was untrue, but she did not want any further action taken against her husband and was happy for him to return to the address.

Defence advocate Stephen Wood entered a basis of plea on behalf of his client in which Battad denied pointing the knife at his wife or shouting at her, but admitting he was angry.

Mr Wood said that Battad was currently in quarantine at the prison.

A probation report said that Battad, who lives in Tynwald Terrace, Douglas, was from the Philippines and was working remotely as a finance manager for the World Wildlife Fund.

The report said that Battad had become distressed about the Facebook post as he said it mentioned his work and he thought it would be seen by his colleagues.

Battad was said to have spent seven days on remand.

Mr Wood said: ’This is not a case where he was pointing the knife at her but he accepts it would have been distressing for her. He has spent seven days in custody and we would submit that has offered an appropriate opportunity to reflect on his decision making process.

’They have been married for 10 years. Mr Battad wishes the opportunity to put things right if his wife will allow him.’

Mr Wood also asked for the court to consider the human rights of the couple’s children.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith said he had taken into account the fact there had been a retraction statement, that Battad had served the equivalent of a 14-day sentence, and the impact on his children.

Battad was said to be leaving the island in January so he was given until December 23 to pay the fine as well as prosecution costs of £50.