A PROLIFIC offender who attacked his brother with a saw and drove a car at him after they argued about money was jailed for 18 months.

Robert Jenkins, 56, was armed with a screwdriver in his left hand and a saw in his right when he charged at Karl Jenkins in Cwmbran.

Prosecutor Jason Howells told Cardiff Crown Court how Jenkins caused his brother injuries to his back and arm after they clashed outside the victim’s home on February 24.

He said: “The defendant then drove his car at speed towards Karl Jenkins and clipped him on Llanyravon Way.”

Jenkins had also threatened to burn his brother’s house down.

Judge Tom Crowther, QC, heard how the defendant suffers from serious mental health and drug problems.

Mr Howells said that by chance, Emma Dale, a mental health nurse from St Cadoc’s Hospital in Caerleon, was at the scene as she made her way home from a shift.

The court heard how Karl Jenkins had said to her: “It’s my brother. He’s off his meds.”

She later told police that Jenkins was behaving in a way consistent with someone who has mental health problems.

The judge was told that the defendant has 26 previous convictions for 111 offences, stretching back to 1983 and included assault, weapons and driving charges.

One comprised a jail sentence of 21 months and a two-year ban in 2002 for dangerous driving.

The defendant, of Hill Street, Blaenavon, pleaded guilty to affray, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and driving without insurance.

Gareth Williams said in mitigation that his client suffered from mental health problems and had accepted his guilt.

The barrister said Jenkins was returning the tools to his brother when an argument about money had flared.

“There was shouting on both sides but the defendant reacted badly and has pleaded guilty to affray.”

The judge said this was a “sad case” but added it was so serious that he had to impose a custodial sentence.

He told Jenkins, who appeared in court via video link from Cardiff Prison: “You caused great upset to family members.”

Judge Crowther also activated a suspended sentence for amphetamine offences which was imposed last year and jailed Jenkins for a total of 18 months and banned him from driving for 25 months.

The defendant was told he will serve half that term in prison before being released on licence.