A 56-year-old property developer has been put on probation for 18 months after a family row left his son with a cut hand.

Stephen Balint, of King Edward Road, Onchan, damaged flower pots, ripped a cupboard door off its hinges, and ripped out a light fitting during a drunken rage.

He then scuffled with his son while holding a wine glass, which led to it breaking and cutting his son’s hand.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith ordered Balint to pay £600 compensation to his son.

We previously reported that police were called to a domestic disturbance at Balint’s home on October 8.

When police arrived, Balint’s son was lying on the floor with a wound to his hand and forearm.

They were told there had been a violent altercation involving Balint, his partner, his son and his daughter.

ripped

The son said that Balint had damaged flower pots outside and ripped out a light fitting inside.

He was said to have been drinking heavily and had become increasingly aggressive throughout the night.

The family said that this was not unusual for Balint.

He was also said to have thrown a bin on the floor spilling rubbish everywhere then told his partner to clean it up.

His son said he had attempted to diffuse the situation with his father but Balint had then taken that as a challenge and confronted him.

During the confrontation, Balint held a glass in his hand which broke during a struggle and had caused the injuries to his son’s hand and forearm.

It was said that there was no suggestion that the glass had been used deliberately as a weapon, but that there had been a history of this type of behaviour and it was almost as if the family were living in fear of Balint.

During a police interview Balint gave no comment responses to all questions.

Defence advocate Matthew Wilshaw said: ’Mr Balint is charged with provoking behaviour, not an assault of any nature.

’On the evening in question, he has accepted he had too much to drink and became increasingly argumentative. Things came to a head when his son confronted him.

’He was holding a wine glass because he was drinking.

’It smashed because he was holding it at the stem. We can’t say how the injury occurred but we can say he didn’t intend to cause any injuries.

’He can’t remember everything that happened but accepts damage in the property caused was down to him.’

Mr Wilshaw went on to say that Balint had since referred himself to Motiv8, the addiction service, and had spoken at length with probation.

’He realises he has problems with drinking and his anger and he wants to sort these out,’ said the advocate.

Mr Wilshaw said that probation would have the power to direct Balint to live separately from his family until he was deemed fit to return home whereas if he was jailed he would be free to live where he wished once he was released.

Deputy High Bailiff Chris Arrowsmith agreed saying that he did not think it was in anybody’s interest that Balint be able to return home when he wished.