A FATHER who attacked his son with a hammer and a knife snapped while caring for his dementia-stricken wife, a court heard.

John Pheysey, of Brook Lane, Chester attacked his middle-aged son in their family home in May this year.

Appearing before Chester Crown Court on Monday (October 15) the 74-year-old year-old pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on David Pheysey.

The court heard how on May 21 this year Pheysey attacked his son, who is in his 40s and suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with a hammer and a knife.

Defending, Patrick Thompson said: “This is an unusual and very sad case in many ways.

“The victim is the son of the defendant. The defendant’s wife suffers from Alzheimer's and the son, although he is a man in his 40s, suffers with ADHD.

“Unfortunately he snapped. He has never been in any trouble before, this is a very extreme case.”

Pheysey first appeared in court back in August, but his case was delayed for a psychiatric report.

He will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on November 5 this year following the preparation of a pre sentence report.