An arrest warrant has been issued for a strictly Orthodox man, convicted of clubbing his wife with a pink Croc sandal, because he failed to appear in court for sentencing today.

Solomon Glausiusz, 42, of Stamford Hill, who attacked his wife of 14 years, Yerusha while their baby daughter was being held, was convicted after a three-day trial last year.

The unemployed father of six pleaded not guilty and said the attack, in June 2009, had been in self-defence. He was due in Snaresbrook Crown Court this afternoon to be sentenced for actual bodily harm.

However, he complained that he could not be in court today because of Shabbat, despite the Recorder promising that the sentencing would be completed by 2.15pm.

Mr Glausiusz’s wife has since returned to her native Holland with her children and been granted a religious divorce.