Surjit Singh Gill, 35, of no fixed address, had been charged with burgling his parents’ home in Landor Road, Whitnash, with intent to use violence.

But that charge was allowed to lie on the file at Warwick Crown Court after he had admitted an alternative offence of harassment by putting his father in fear of violence.

Gill was jailed for six months by Judge Marten Coates who also imposed a restraining order prohibiting Gill from contacting his parents or going to Landor Road.

Prosecutor Neil Bannister said Gill had been living with his parents at their previous home in Claremont Road, Leamington, until about four years ago when his father asked him to leave because of his drug problems.

Early this year, his parents moved to Landor Road, and Gill was allowed to return to stay there, but things did not work out.

He was asked to leave, but refused, so his father called the police who assisted in removing him.

Two weeks later, Gill went to the house and assaulted his father by punching him to the face five times, and his parents feared for their safety when he continued to be abusive.

His parents then went on an extended holiday to India, leaving a neighbour to look after their home, and while they were away Gill broke in at the beginning of July. The police were called and he was arrested.

After hearing about the burglary Gill’s father cut short his holiday and returned to Whitnash.

Gill turned up at the house again on July 21 and asked for a razor and a soft drink, which his father, who would not let him inside, passed to him through the window.

As he did so Gill grabbed his hand and headbutted him, causing his nose to bleed.

The injured Mr Gill activated an alarm which the police had installed, and on seeing that Gill grabbed it and smashed it – but it had already alerted the police who turned up and arrested Gill.

Mr Bannister said Gill’s attitude towards his parents emerged when he was interviewed and referred to his mother as “just a woman I know” and his father as “her so-called husband”.

Peter Freeman, defending, said the background to the incident was a problem between Gill and his father, and he asked for the restraining order to name just Gill’s father.

But Judge Coates ordered it to name both of Gill’s parents, observing that an application could be made in the future to remove his mother from the order if it is considered appropriate.