A FAMILY Christmas turned violent when a man smashed his fist into his dinner and destroyed his mother’s phone when she tried to call the police.

Jason Keech, 24, of Valley View, Abertillery, received his presents from his mother Susan Coles and then went out to visit his uncle before arriving back home drunk.

Rob Simkins, prosecuting, said: “He went back to his mum’s address at 2.30pm. He got back at the same time as his sister. There was an argument in the house it’s fair to say, between all parties. He argued with his mum and he argued with his sister. Matters deteriorated.”

Keech smashed his fist into his Christmas dinner the court heard.

When his sister told him she would call the police, he tried to disconnect the phone.

Mr Simkins continued: “The defendant grabbed the handset, tried to bite it and then smashed it. His mum at that stage was able to call the police on her mobile.

“There was a fraught confrontation and the defendant ran off when he saw the police coming.”

The court heard Keech was tearful in his police interview, saying he just wanted to make it up to his family.

Keech appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court on December 30.

He admitted destroying the Binatone phone worth £8 and was bailed until his sentencing on January 22, when a pre-sentence report can be obtained.