The former president of Lansford borough council was placed in a special probation program on Monday on a charge of simple assault.

Martin Stephen Ditsky, 70, was placed in the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program for first-time offenders by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Ditsky was arrested on Sept. 4, 2017, outside his home on East Abbott Street. He got involved in a dispute over a parking space. The female victim said Ditsky grabbed her by the arm and bent her fingers back for more than a minute, while she held her 1-year-old child. She also accused him of slamming her car door, striking her 4-year-old son’s leg.

Ditsky was president of council at the time. He lost his bid for re-election last year.

Matika placed him on the program for a year and ordered he pay a $450 assessment for the cost of the program, render 50 hours of community service, make restitution of $250, pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program and have no contact with the victim. State police at Lehighton prosecuted the case because of Ditsky’s position on council, Lansford police had recused themselves.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record will be wiped clean. If they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they will face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.