A SON who used a knife on his mother after an argument over a chocolate bar has been told to expect a prison sentence.

Philip Brewer, 22, of Barn Glebe, Trowbridge, admitted to two charges of assaulting his mother Alison Brewer and his father Keith Brewer in March.

Chippenham magistrates' court heard on Thursday how he denied using a knife in the attack but magistrates later found he did use a knife after hearing evidence from all three parties.

The incident began on March 24 after an argument developed between Philip Brewer and his mother.

He claimed the argument was over a Kitkat Chunky chocolate bar that he had offered to his mother by way of an apology but was refused.

The argument soon developed and resulted in Mrs Brewer leaving the house with injuries to her arm, which she said were inflicted by her son with a kitchen knife.

Giving evidence at court, Brewer's father, who did not witness the knife attack but was assaulted by his son, said: "When we were in the garden he went for me and grabbed me round the neck. He had a strange look in his eyes, which really worried me.

"He was trying to provoke me to hit him which I was determined not to do. When his mother went inside to phone the police he went in after her and pulled the phone from the socket and then she went for her mobile phone and Philip went after her."

During the hearing Philip Brewer gave evidence to the contrary. He said: "I came home from Tesco with some of my own food and I think my mother took offence because I was not eating the food she prepared for me.

"She had bought me an Easter egg and I ate it on the sofa then offered her the chocolate bar.

"She said she didn't want it and then she swore at me and said I was useless. That started an argument that got deeper and deeper. I grabbed her arm when she threatened to call the police and disarmed her of the phone. I maintain that I did not use a knife.

"I feel more comfortable being physical with my family whereas I might not do it with a stranger."

Head magistrate Jane Fitzgerald decided that Brewer had used a knife, based on the evidence of the scratches on Mrs Brewer's arm and the quality of the evidence given in court.

Mrs Fitzgerald said: "You did cause the scratches on your mother's arm using the knife from the kitchen and your credibility was less than that of your parents.

"Because of the seriousness of this offence you may receive a custodial sentence."

Philip Brewer will be sentenced by magistrates on May 29.

12:23pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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