Man held ‘vicious’ 10in knife to mum’s throat

A DRUG user who started smoking cannabis aged 11 held a “vicious” 10-inch kitchen knife to his mum’s throat when she refused to give him money.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Evan Jenkins threatened to punch his mother when she asked him to be quiet, before losing his temper, flipping a table and grabbing a kitchen knife.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, his mother Lisa Maiden said she was frightened for her life.

The court heard the incident occurred at her home in Brackla, Bridgend, on August 15.

Julian Greenwood, prosecuting, said she returned from shopping to find her son smoking cannabis in the living room after taking Valium.

He told the court Jenkins asked her for £10 and threatened to punch her when she asked him to be quiet.

Prosecutors said the defendant asked for more money, before telling her he would take it from her bank account and “bleed her dry”.

The court heard Jenkins lost his temper when his mother told him she was going to call the police.

Mr Greenwood said he flipped a table and smashed a glass, before going into the kitchen to get the knife.

A witness described him as “agitated” and said he held the blade to his mother’s neck as she was on the phone to the police.

The prosecutor described it as a “serious incident”. He added: “The incident was not in isolation. This behaviour was the last straw.”

In her victim impact statement, Ms Maiden said: “Throughout the incident, I was petrified. I was frightened for my life.”

Mr Greenwood asked for a restraining order to be made.

Jenkins, 19, of Ewenny Road, Bridgend, who appeared via video link from HM Prison Cardiff, admitted common assault and affray.

Stuart McLeese, defending, said his client started smoking cannabis aged 11 and taking Valium aged 15.

He stressed he had no previous convictions and entered guilty pleas at the first opportunity.

The defence barrister said: “He apologises to his mother and the court for this behaviour, which he accepts was wholly unacceptable.”

He added: “He has learnt his lesson.”

Mr McLeese asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report, but the judge said immediate custody was the only option.

Recorder Richard Williams noted the incident was “terrifying” for the victim and described the knife as a “vicious implement”.

Jenkins was sent to a young offender institution for six months and a fiveyear restraining order was imposed.