A MAN head-butted his 63-year-old mother and threatened to pour boiling water over his stepfather, a court was told yesterday.

Peter Charles Hutchinson, 40, launched the late-night attack on Shirley and Malcolm Hutchinson last month, while their young grandson was asleep in a bedroom.

Peter Smith, prosecuting, said Hutchinson argued with his mother at the family home, in Lyne Road, Spennymoor, County Durham, at about 11.30pm on August 6.

He said Hutchinson pushed his mother before grabbing her shoulders and head-butting her in the face.

When his 60-year-old step-father came out of another bedroom, Hutchinson grab-bed him by the face and butted him, said Mr Smith.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard how Hutchinson then threatened to throw a pan of boiling water over his stepfather.

Hutchinson pleaded guilty to using or threatening unlawful violence.

Robert Willowby, in mitigation, said his client had suffered from depression in the past and at the time of the incident felt in need of treatment.

"He said it happened because he was amazed his parents were still up that late and he needed his own space," said Mr Willowby.

Magistrates referred the case to Durham Crown Court for sentencing.