Knife raider robbed his mother

A WOMAN who was threatened at knifepoint by a burglar realised the intruder was her own son when his mask slipped.

David Lewis, 21, unemployed, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court yesterday to aggravated burglary and was jailed for 15 months.

His mother, Megan Lewis, 58, of Townhill, Swansea, had woken at 4am one morning to find him ransacking the downstairs of her home. He brandished a knife and demanded money, the court heard.

Mrs Lewis said she begged him not to stab her. But as she handed over some money, the scarf covering his face slipped. She ran screaming into the street, and her son fled.

Catherine Heywood, for the prosecution, said: 'His petrified victim began to sob, begging the burglar not to hurt her.'

Stuart Hughes, for the defence, said Lewis had needed money for food, clothes and drugs. After being arrested he told police he felt like killing himself.

After the sentence, Mrs Lewis said: 'I still love him in a way, but it is so hard to forgive what he has done.

'Since he was arrested he has telephoned to say he was sorry but I still think 15 months is not long enough.

'He needed a harsher penalty to teach him a lesson. I am terrified he will come back and do it again.'