A MOTHER and son both suffered epileptic fits after a confrontation with a late-night caller on their doorstep.

Robert Lloyd, a 36-year-old painter, of Canterbury Road, Kidderminster, called at 11.30pm about an alleged burglary at his parents' garage, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Robina McKenna claimed that he pushed her backwards onto a banister, which broke, during the incident on September 10, 1999.

Kidderminster magistrates had fined him £250 with £100 compensation after finding him guilty of common assault and criminal damage.

He appealed against the conviction and sentence and this was allowed.

Recorder Gareth Evans QC said it was not clear what had happened that night.

Mrs McKenna alleged that she could smell alcohol when Lloyd knocked at her door, making accusations against her son.

She claimed she was pushed backwards into the banister and suffered a shoulder injury.

Her son Ben, 13, said Lloyd was threatening and abusive before pushing over his mother.

Both witnesses said they suffered seizures as a result of the pandemonium.

Lloyd told the court that he had drunk only one pint before going to question the McKennas about vandalism at his parents' garage.

He denied hitting Mrs McKenna and claimed she could have tripped over her son, who had collapsed onto the floor.

Peter Fortune, for Lloyd, successfully submitted that the Crown had failed to make out a case against his client.