A DINAS Powys man accused of terrorising his own mother with a pick axe handle has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment

Ross Williams, who was accused of using the axe handle as a weapon to shatter a window and causing damage to a number of other items in the house, pleaded guilty to an offence of affray at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday morning, October 23.

Recorder Elwen Evans said that he committed the serious offence while under the influence of “a cocktail of drink and drugs”.

She added that if the case had gone to trial she would have sentenced Williams to 21 months imprisonment and that if his mother hadn’t written a letter in his defence he would have faced an even longer term.

26-year-old Williams, who appeared in the court via a video link from Bristol Prison, committed the offence whilst on licence from a three year jail term for two robberies.

In April 2013 Williams pleaded guilty to targeting Patrick’s Newsagents on Plassey Street in Penarth on March 14, taking around £90 in cash from the register, after demanding cash from Martin’s newsagents, on Castle Drive, in Dinas Powys, around 7.30pm the day before (March 13), taking in the region of £100. He was said to have carried an iron bar on both occasions.

Recorder Evans said that it was “inevitable” that Williams’ offence of affray crossed the custody threshold because of the way and circumstances it was committed

“Your mother is entitled to protection from the behaviour you have displayed in your drink and drugged state,” she said.

“You should be enormously grateful to the approach she has taken.

“It is up to you to show her you are worthy of the attitude that she has taken and displayed towards you.”

His 14 month sentence will run concurrently with his existing term, with the parole board set to decide how much of his sentence he will serve..

Recorder Evans also ordered Williams to pay a £100 victim surcharge.