A MAN who stubbed out a cigarette on the arm of his elderly mum in a drunken attack after returning from the pub will not go to jail.

Terence Bernard Clayton, aged 51, of Arpley Street, also pulled the hair of the 75-year-old pensioner, and held a knife up to her face.

Chester Crown Court heard on Monday how Maureen Clayton is vulnerable and relied on the defendant as her carer.

Clayton was spared jail after pleas by his mum to the court that a prison sentence would cause her 'distress and upset'.

Prosecuting, John Oates, said the assault happened on April 15 last year, when Clayton, who has a drink problem, went to his mum's home address.

A distraught 999 call was made by Mrs Clayton, who the court heard also has alcohol issues, in which she told the operator her son had 'twisted her arm and threatened her'.

When police arrived she was bleeding from the arm, the wound caused by Clayton's cigarette, according to Mr Oates.

He said: "She told the police officer that her son had returned from the pub, pulled her hair, and stubbed a cigarette out on her hand, and made threatening gestures with a knife.

"She was in great pain and upset, and there were bruises down her arm to the elbow.

"The victim concedes she bruises extremely easily and some of the bruises would not have been down to the defendant."

The defendant was found nearby, after making 'offensive comments' on the phone to the police operator.

During a police interview, the court heard Clayton, who has two previous convictions for drink driving, said the victim was drunk and had made the allegations up.

He eventually pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the day of trial.

Defending, Michael Davies said: "I have seen the victim myself.

"She is very anxious her son does not go to prison.

"She is particularly vulnerable. He was her carer and she needed his care.

"What's clear is that alcohol has damaged his two most important relationships; that with his mother, and with his partner.

"The victim wants to enjoy the company of her son once his problems have been solved."

Judge Roger Dutton sentenced Clayton to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.

A restraining order was also imposed, preventing unsupervised contact.

Judge Dutton said: "It's clear there's been something of a turbulent relationship between the two of you, probably not assisted by the fact you both like a drink.

"A lady of her age shouldn't have to put up with such behaviour by anybody, and certainly not her son.

"In her case, blood clearly runs thicker than water."