SUFFOLK: A troubled young man today told of his “living nightmare” after being convicted of drink-driving while marking the anniversary of his mother’s death at the hands of his father.

Edward Green’s life spiralled out of control after he returned home to find his mother, Sharon, lying in a pool of blood on November 20 last year.

His dad, Paul Green, 59, had stabbed her five times with a bayonet at the former Old Bell pub in Marlesford where they lived because he believed she was having an affair.

The 29-year-old desperately tried to revive her with mouth-to-mouth, but her injuries were too severe.

A year on from that tragic day, Green met up with a friend for a drink in the Three Tuns Inn, in Pettistree, to mark the anniversary of his 53-year-old mother’s death.

But magistrates in Ipswich heard yesterday how the evening ended with him being arrested for drink-driving after getting behind the wheel of his car after five or six pints.

The court heard Green has been suffering from serious mental health problems over the last year and sometimes turned to drink as a “coping mechanism” to deal with his mum’s horrific murder.

Green, a former pub landlord and digger driver, has also been unable to get work as result of his psychological issues.

Speaking after the hearing, Green told The Evening Star how he will never be able to erase the sight of his dying mother from his memory.

He said: “It’s been a living nightmare. I haven’t slept properly since. It’s been nightmare after nightmare. There is nothing in the world that will get that picture out of my head.”

But he revealed how life had taken a positive turn in recent months as he and his girlfriend, Emma Gooch, were expecting their first child.

He said: “Good sometimes comes out of something bad. I’ve got to appreciate that and look to the future. Emma gives me so much support. She is someone to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.

“I was down and out until I realised I was going to be a dad. That’s all I have got in life. That and my girlfriend.

“My life won’t ever be the same. But it will make me as happy as I can be.”

Miss Gooch, 28, who works at the Three Tuns and is due to give birth in around ten weeks, said: “I hope this gives us something positive to look forward to. It will give Edward something to think about other than everything else that has happened.”

Green has been living in a caravan in the garden of his parent’s home because he cannot face living in the property, which may have to be sold to pay for his father’s legal bills.

The fees for the former pub landlord’s defence are in excess of �35,000 and a judge has ruled it must be paid within two months.

But despite everything that has happened, Green said he loves his father as much as ever.

He regularly visits his dad in prison as he serves a minimum of 16 years of a life term – a decision which has alienated him from the rest of his family.

He said: “He is still my dad and I still love him. He will always be there for me. I don’t talk to my family. My dad is the only person I speak to.

“It’s caused a fall-out between the whole family, but why shouldn’t I visit him? He’s my dad and I still love him.”

n Has your family been torn apart by a crime? Call The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or you can send an e-mail to starnews@eveningstar.co.uk