A strictly Orthodox man has been jailed for clubbing his wife with a pink Croc sandal, while he was holding his baby daughter.

Solomon Glausiusz, 42, of Stamford Hill, must serve six months in prison after he attacked his wife of 14 years, Yerusha. He was convicted of actual bodily harm, after a three-day trial last year.

The unemployed father of six said that the attack, in June 2009, had been in self-defence.

He was due to be sentenced on Friday February 11 at Snaresbrook Crown Court but failed to make an appearance, complaining that he could not be in court because of Shabbat, despite the Recorder promising that sentencing would be completed by 2.15pm. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Glausiusz was arrested later that week and returned to court for sentencing on Tuesday, March 1.

Glausiusz's wife has since returned to her native Holland with her children and been granted a get, or religious divorce.