A DRUNKEN son stabbed his father when he tried to prevent him taking the family car for a ride, a court heard.

Richard Wood was heard letting himself into the kitchen and rummaging in a drawer at his parents’ home, in Brandon, near Durham, at 9pm on August 4.

Durham Crown Court heard that his parents went into the kitchen to be told by Wood that he was going to take the car.

Jane Waugh, prosecuting, said Wood, holding an 8in-bladed kitchen knife and the car keys, went into the yard, followed by his father.

Wood tried to goad him into having a fight, despite a second, unknown male, in the yard, trying to usher him away.

Eventually when his father told him not to take the car, he lunged at him three times with the knife.

Miss Waugh said his father felt a “burning sensation” in the side of his torso, from which blood was pouring.

He managed to grab hold of his son, as he fell to his knees, but Wood broke free and ran off, throwing the knife and keys in the direction of the car as he fled.

Miss Waugh said his father suffered a 3-millimetre puncture wound in the rib area.

When Wood was arrested and interviewed, the following day, he made no comment to police questioning.

But the 22-year-old defendant, of Oak Green, Brandon, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, when he appeared before magistrates.

Andrew Finlay, mitigating, told Friday’s sentencing hearing that Wood has little recollection of events due to the amount he had drunk.

Mr Finlay said at the time he had “issues” with depression and heavy drinking after two friends had taken their own lives within a short period.

“He had not offended until this year and his decline can be seen since, while he has been drinking excessively.”

Mr Finlay said Wood has been in custody since the incident, “his first experience behind bars”, which he found “traumatic.”

But he added that the defendant is determined to put his trade of bricklaying to good use on his release.

Miss Waugh told the court that after speaking to his parents, they would like to, “build bridges” with him, as they felt his behaviour that night was, out of character.

She said they also hope he can receive the required treatment to address his issues.

Judge Simon Hickey imposed a ten-month prison sentence, but said he could suspend it, for two years, during which Wood must attend monthly review hearings at the court to monitor his progress.