ATTLEBORO -- A former city man was found guilty in Attleboro District Court Tuesday of beating his 2-year-old son last summer, but was spared jail.

Jeffrey A. Hudson, 29, formerly of Hope Street in Attleboro, was given a one-year jail term, which was suspended with probation for two years by Judge Richard Savignano.

Hudson, who was convicted of domestic assault and battery after a jury-waived trial, was also ordered to remain drug and alcohol free and submit to random testing.

He was arrested in July 2005 after an investigation by Detective James Cote and Officer Matthew Cook. The incident occurred June 14, 2005, and was reported the following night.

The boy suffered marks and bruises. Some of the injuries were suffered in an accidental fall, according to testimony in the one-day trial. Prosecutor Roger Ferris had asked the court to impose a six-month committed jail term, citing the defendant's criminal record and out-of-state residence. Hudson now lives in Virginia.

But defense lawyer Alfred Puller pleaded with the judge to impose probation or a suspended sentence, noting that most of the charges on his client's record were the result of problems with alcohol.

Puller said Hudson has turned his life around, attends alcoholic's anonymous meetings, has maintained steady employment and provides child support for his children.

The mother of the victim, Ryan Snow, cq, told the judge that putting her son's father in jail would not help the children. The defendant is also the father of a 7-year-old boy.