By Lisa Redmond

MediaNews

AYER -- A 25-year-old Shirley man received a suspended sentence with alcohol treatment after he admitted to getting angry, picking up his 4-year-old child by the shoulders, screaming in the toddler's face and tossing him on a bed.

In Ayer District Court, Bryan Corley pleaded guilty to one count of assault and battery. He was sentenced to two years in jail, with the sentence suspended, and two years probation.

While on probation, Corley is not to abuse the victim, continue with alcohol treatment, abstain from alcohol and submit to random screens.

Prosecutors dropped three counts of assault and battery and intimidation of a witness.

Prosecutors allege that Shirley police received a report on June 23 from Corley's wife that the 4-year-old was crying and screaming. When Corley got in the boy's face, the child slapped his father in the face, prosecutors said.

Corley picked the child up by the shoulders, screamed in his face and threw him down onto a bed, prosecutors said.

Defense attorney Christopher Reardon, who represents Corley, said Corley is undergoing alcohol treatment.

"He's in a good place now,'' Reardon said.

Reardon said the state Department of Children and Family Services is ready to close the case.

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