A GATHERING to mark the anniversary of a man’s death was marred by an outbreak of drink and drug-fuelled violence by one of his sons.

Michael Adam West was jailed for 14 months for what a crown court recorder described as, “an ugly incident”, in the Weardale village of Frosterley, in the early hours of September 28.

Durham Crown Court heard that an earlier memorial charity fundraising event, in a village pub, passed peacefully and West’s sister, Joanne, invited some of those present back to her home.

Kate Dodds, prosecuting, said about 30 took up the offer and a complaint was made to police at about 1.30am about the noise.

Miss Dodds said by 4am only about ten people remained, including the 23-year-old defendant, who asked others present for a lift so he could, “go and beat someone up”.

“Due to the amount everyone had drunk no-one was in a position to drive, and he responded by hitting the wardrobe with his arm.”

But Miss Dodds said he was told to go downstairs, where he was heard shouting and arguing, and so he was told to leave.

He managed to get back in a few minutes later, carrying a large stick which he waved around in the kitchen, shouting at those present.

When he was again told to get out, West smashed a lamp and picked up a lager bottle, knocking the top off, on a table.

Miss Dodds said others tried to usher him out, and he dropped the stick, but lashed out with the bottle neck in his hand, striking his sister in the face.

She fell backwards onto the stairs.

Miss Dodds said West dragged her round the room, banging her head off a step, while a friend was slapped in the face.

His sister was head-butted and the other woman’s head was struck against a fridge door, causing her to briefly lose consciousness.

Although he left, he then damaged several windows and threw a chair leg through a broken panel, inadvertently striking brother Glen above the eye.

Police were called and he disappeared, hiding in a Wendy house in the garden, but he was later arrested at his mother’s home in the village.

He admitted having drunk heavily and taken the drug MCat, or mephedrone, and could not recall later events during the night.

John Turner, mitigating, said: "He later expressed disgust at what he had done, having caused any amount of problems within the family, deeply fracturing relations with his sister and cousin.”

Mr Turner said West had moved to be with his girlfriend in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, and, while in custody, in the weeks since the incident, has taken steps to address his drug and alcohol misuse.

West admitted affray, criminal damage and three counts of common assault.

An indefinite restraining order was imposed preventing him contacting several family members.