A Somerton father has described how he still suffers nightmares after being stabbed with a kitchen knife by his estranged son.

Timothy Bryant vowed never to see Christopher Brosnan, 19, again after a jury at Taunton Crown Court convicted him last week of wounding with intent to cause serious harm.

Brosnan tried to claim that he was acting in self defence when he plunged the knife into his father's chest – but the court accepted instead Mr Bryant's version of events.

Mr Bryant, who moved to Somerton around three years ago to be near his girlfriend, mother-of-four Diane Greenman, said: "It is difficult because he is my son but I am pleased he was found guilty. I am still suffering from nightmares and day traumas.

"At first I was glad he got back in touch but I soon had regrets. I am getting over it now and getting on with my life. I am not going to contact him and do not want to see him again."

The court was told Brosnan of Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire, was brought up by his mother after Mr Bryant walked out when he was a child.

The relationship was rekindled about three years ago and in August, Brosnan was staying at his father's flat in Brunel Way along with a friend from London.

The jury heard how the young men met some local youngsters in a park where they were drinking alcohol and took three of them back to the flat at 4.30am.

Brosnan became upset at his friend kissing and cuddling a girl on the bed and began hitting him about the head. The noise woke up his father, who had given up his bedroom for his son and was sleeping in the lounge.

Mr Bryant picked up a hammer and told him to stop what he was doing. He put the hammer down but Brosnan grabbed a knife and attacked his father.

Mr Bryant said: "I did not realise he had stabbed me at first but about a minute later I saw blood on my chest.

"It was a very sharp pain and the wound kept pulsing blood. He didn't just stab me once, he stabbed me twice, across the top of my chest. I have got the scars to show it, one blow left two marks."

He spent two days in Yeovil District Hospital and, five months on, said he was still suffering psychological effects.

"I am taking tablets and still wake up screaming sometimes," he said.

After a three-day trial, Brosnan was convicted last Wednesday on a majority verdict of 10-2 and remanded in custody for reports and sentencing at a later date.