A MAN with mental health problems is accused of causing the death of his mother after he violently attacked his stepfather with a knife, a court heard.

Adam Burnside turned up at his parents’ home after a heavy drinking session despite knowing the Christian couple did not tolerate him calling late at night, especially when he was drunk.

The defendant’s mother, Susan Ward, collapsed during the violent altercation in their home on Yarm Road, Darlington, in January this year.

Burnside, who suffers from mental health issues, stabbed his stepfather Paramijit Singh through the hand and in the back in an unprovoked attack. Jurors heard how he then stabbed the defenceless 64-year-old several more times while he was unconscious.

Teesside Crown Court was told how the defendant’s attack triggered an asthma attack – a condition Burnside knew his mother suffered from – or a fatal heart attack. His mother was discovered unconscious in a pool of sick when the emergency services arrived at the scene.

In a recorded police interview, jurors heard Mr Singh say how he attempted to protect his wife from Burnside’s angry outburst before he was attacked with the knife.

The victim told how called 999 after regaining consciousness and kept asking the medical staff about his wife – unaware that she was dead.

Fighting back tears, he said: “I would do anything to stop her getting hurt and she would have done the same for me. We had that kind of relationship – I just loved her."

When asked about his stepson, who he had cared for since Burnside was five-years-old, he replied: "I loved him, I still love him – I didn't want bring any charges against him."

An emotional Mr Singh added: "He has never hit me before, he never punched me but we have argued. When he stabbed me – I said to him 'what have you done?'"

The defendant denies the attempted murder of Mr Singh and the manslaughter of his mother.

However, the 45-year-old, of Garrick Court, Darlington, has pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for the attack on his stepfather and the possession of a bladed article.

The trial continues.