A teenager who pulled out a zombie-style machete after slapping his mother in a violent attack on his family started coughing up blood in court.

Thomas Fernandez-Lee, 19, was due to be sentenced at Southampton Crown Court on Thursday for the assaults on his mother and father but the case was adjourned due to his health.

Before the case was put off, prosecutor Gary Venturi told the court how on Christmas Day last year the defendant was picked up by his mother Elena Fernandez after work.

But when they stopped for fuel the teenager - who had been drinking strong Magnum tonic wine - dropped his food in the footwell of the car and his dad Andrew Stanley-Ward "called him an idiot", the court was told.

Mr Venturi said: “The defendant then got out of the car and hit his dad twice in the chest.”

The family returned to their home in the New Forest, but Fernandez-Lee kept "playing loud music and going in and out of their bedrooms”, Mr Venturi said.

READ MORE: Teen found with zombie knife after Christmas attack on family

He added: “The defendant was asked to stop bothering anyone, and when his mother asked what he was going to do, he slapped her around the face.

“His father was then hit in the chest again.”

He then grabbed a large zombie-style machete knife from his room and waved it around the house until his dad restrained him.

Speaking in court, his father Andrew Stanley-Ward - who suffered a cut to his wrist - said the incident was “fuelled by alcohol” which worsened his mental health.

He said: “Thomas poured petrol on the fire by drinking alcohol."

Support from the children's mental health service stopped when he turned 18, he added.

Fernandez-Lee, of Southampton Road, Godshill - where the violence happened - previously admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the knife.

He also admitted two charges of assault by beating and breaching bail. A charge of wounding with intent was dropped.

Judge Nicholas Rowland adjourned the hearing so a mental health treatment could be explored ahead of his future sentencing.

Fernandez-Lee was bailed ahead of the next hearing.