Father Convicted Of Killing Son In Chip Row

A man has been convicted of murdering his son in a row about chips.

Fifty-one-year-old Martin Thompson stood trial at Cardiff Crown Court for the murder of Craig, 29, at their home in Lavender Road, Gurnos, last November.

One of the three lodgers staying at the house at the time gave evidence stating that she saw Thompson stab son Craig three times in the stomach and the chest.

The court heard that Thompson had put frozen oven-ready chips in a pan for supper but lodgers heard him shout that someone had taken them.

It is understood Craig had gone to retrieve more chips but refused to help to cook more.

After a confrontation, his father came out of the kitchen with a 4 inch knife. After a struggle with his father, in which he attempted to kick the knife out of his hand, he suffered the fatal knife wounds. He then collapsed and was pronounced dead when emergency services arrived.

Thompson said when police arrived that it "was his doing" and that he "just went mad".

Prosecution said both men had been drinking heavily after the death of Thompson's wife - Craig's mother.

Thompson had been approximately four times over the drink drive limit at the time of the attack, while his son was five times over the legal limit.

It is reported that Craig had moved three lodgers into their home without his father's consent several weeks before.

Judge Mr David Lloyd Jones said to the defendant: "There is only one sentence for murder and that is life imprisonment."

Thompson, who has denied the charge, remains in custody and will be sentenced later.

(DS)