A MAN has been locked up after trying to suffocate his mother in the middle of a road and threatening to stab his brother.

Gareth David Price, of Laburnum Road in Rudheath, was jailed for four months after he admitted assaulting Winifred Elizabeth Price, who believed he was trying to kill her.

Vale Royal Magistrates Court was told the 22-year-old had returned home drunk on May 9 and asked his mother for £10, but when she said no he became aggressive, threatening to attack his brother if she didn't give him the cash.

Prosecuting, Jayne Morrison said: 'He picked up a vegetable knife and stated he would wait until his brother came home and then he was going to stab him. She ran from the house because in the past he has stabbed his brother.

'He followed her towards Gadbrook Road. He caught up with her, took hold of her head and started to pull her down the road. She was screaming and panicking.

'He put both hands over her mouth and tried to suffocate her. She scratched and nipped him and then blacked out as a result of being suffocated.

'She was left very upset and said it was one of the most traumatic experiences of her life. She believed he was trying to kill her.'

Defending, Scott Harding said: 'He says he pushed her to the floor. He says he was not trying to suffocate her but did put his hands over her mouth. They were in the street and there were passers-by and she was shouting and screaming.'

Jailing Price, chairwoman of the bench Patsy Evans said it was a 'very serious' offence and pointed toward Price's 'previous record of violence'.