A 31-year-old man has been handed a 12-month conditional discharge for an assault on his father.

Paul Barker, of Hillside Avenue, Douglas, admitted common assault after punching his father on the shoulder three times.

Prosecuting advocate Barry Swain told the court that Barker had got into a row with his father on March 10 at their home.

Barker was said to have punched his father on the shoulder three times while his father was holding a mop which snapped.

No serious injury was caused.

A probation report said that it had been a difficult time for Barker as he had spent a short period at the prison when no bail address could be found for him.

The report said that he had learning difficulties and had not seen his father since the incident but missed him very much.

The report suggested the conditional discharge saying that it was unlikely Barker would appear before the court again.