A dad was given a six-month suspended jail sentence over a brawl with a nephew after the reading of his mother's will.

Terrence Carrigan was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation after his nephew needed surgery for a deep cut on his forearm.

The fight took place after the pair had been drinking heavily following the reading of the will, Southend Crown Court heard.

Carrigan, 51, of Boscombe Road, Southend, admitted affray at his mother's home in Markhams Chase, Basildon, where his nephew Adam Burford had been lodging.

The victim returned to the property to find his uncle in the lounge, asked him what he was doing there and swore at him, the court was told.

Carrigan grabbed him by the throat and a scuffle began with both men rolling around on broken crockery on the floor.

Mr Burford admitted that when he then left the property he punched through a window.

In mitigation, Jill Hurworth said Carrigan had been suffering from depression.

He "saw red" at the lack of respect for and damage to his mother's property.

The fight started outside when Carrigan pushed the victim into a car several times in February 2002.

Mr Burford suffered a three-centimetre cut to the top of the head and a deep laceration to his left forearm which needed surgery.

Defence and prosecution barristers could not say for certain what caused the injury to the arm.

Judge Michael Yeltman told Carrigan: "This day should have been one of quiet reflection.

"It is very unfortunate when a man of your age appears in court for the first time for such a serious offence. Clearly this justifies a custodial sentence but I will suspend it for six months because of your health."

Published Thursday, January 30, 2003

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