SAUGUS, Mass. – A Massachusetts school committee member avoided a criminal trial last week for allegedly assaulting a senior citizen with frozen fish patties after he agreed to attend anger management classes.

Arthur Grabowski, 67, was charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon over an altercation with 73-year-old Martin Graney during a veterans food drive at the Saugus Senior Center in May, and he was set to stand trial last week, the Daily Item reports.

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According to the news site:

Graney told police he was approached by Grabowski, who greeted him with obscenities. He was invited to “take this outside” and followed Grabowski through the door. Once outside, Graney said, Grabowski spun around and hit him on the side of his head with the patties and fled the scene.

Grabowski admitted the two had an argument and said when he attempted to leave, Graney was blocking him. Grabowski said Graney told him he wanted to go outside, then hit him from behind. Grabowski was carrying food and hit Graney because he was blocking him, according to his account.

On Dec. 1, Grabowski agreed to a deal with Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett’s office to attend anger management classes and avoid the senior center in exchange for a six month continuance in the case. If Grabowski, who remains on the school committee, completes the anger management and keeps out of trouble with the law until he’s due back in court on June 6, the charge will be dismissed, MassLive.com reports.

Grabowski declined the Daily Item’s request for comment about the agreement, but told the news site in September the incident has no impact on his ability to serve the school district.

“This is typical Saugus politics for you,” Grabowski said. “I’m outraged that this situation is the way it is. I was elected and I will continue to do my duties.”

Locals who commented online seemed to think the situation is hilarious.

“Looks like the scales of justice have tipped in this chum’s favor,” WillyT posted to MassLive.

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“I get the guy that was assaulted had a big haddake (haddock),” speakingoutthere added. “Story sounds pretty fishy to me.”

“Is this a story about a freshly frozen fish in flounder fight, or pummeling with a partial package of perch patties?” kengken wrote.