Teddy Phillips, a man accused of assaulting his elderly mother, was lucky to walk out of court a free man after his sister pleaded for his release.

Phillips is facing charges of assaulting a woman, malicious destruction of property, damaging an officer's uniform and assaulting an officer.

The allegations are that on December 6, the complainant was choked by her son and during the process, her shirt was torn. Phillipps is also accused of threatening his mother.

It is further alleged that while at the August Town Police Station, Phillips assaulted an officer. In his previous appearance in court, Phillips, in an attempt to explain himself, told the court that his mother had told him some hurtful words. He said, "Words sharper dan knife, Your Honour, she tell mi some tings." In response to RM Brown's question about whether he was on drugs, his response was a terse, "Never!"

He also said he did not choke the complainant, saying, "Mi neva choke har, mi jus' shake har up."

When he appeared in court, however, his relatives said his mother had been worrying about his well-being in jail. His sister then asked the court for Phillips to be released. He was told to apologise to the court and to his mother before being set free.