TWO brothers appeared in court this week after conducting ‘a war’ at their dying mother’s home and reducing her possessions to ‘debris’ on the floor.

Wayne Bennett, of Coleridge Road, and brother Anthony, of Summerlands Road, were sentenced for criminal damage at North Somerset Courthouse after a ‘casual’ drink turned into a brawl following a row about money.

Jane Cooper, prosecuting, told the court that 51-year-old Wayne Bennett met his 53-year-old sibling, and their sister, at their mother’s address on August 21 after she had been diagnosed with a serious illness.

Ms Cooper said an argument erupted about the mother’s pension, which Wayne Bennett used to pay her household bills.

She said: “Various ornaments were smashed during the fight, as well as a TV screen.

“Anthony Bennett said he was angry that he (Wayne Bennett) was paying his mother’s bills and then keeping the rest for himself.

“The sister then said they started having a war. There was debris on the floor and both brothers were bleeding badly. Wayne said he could not remember who hit who first but they were hitting each other as hard as they could with their fists.

“Anthony said ‘stop we are going to kill ourselves’ and Wayne said it was a family tiff that got out of control and he apologised for what he had done.”

Wayne Bennett told the court he cared for his mother, who has since died, and the argument was not about her pension.

He said: “She said I could get what I wanted, after paying the bills, but I never did that.

“My mum has now died, her funeral was on September 10. It was a sad time and things got out of control.

“He (Anthony Bennett) is older than me and throughout my life he bullied me. As I got bigger I started winning the fights.

“The damage has been paid for and I’m just sorry it happened.

“I tried my hardest to get out of that fight. I did not want to fight anyone, he is my brother and I love him and we are friends now.

“I would find it hard to pay any costs, but I would not mind being put in prison for a bit.”

Wayne Bennett was given a conditional discharge for six months by magistrates and was ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

His brother appeared at the courthouse, facing the same charge, and was also given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.