A man who bought a set of knives before returning home and stabbing his father to death claims he originally intended to kill himself in front of his entire family.

It is alleged Patrick Murphy fatally knifed his dad Joe, following a row over charging a mobile phone.

The 30-year-old told Maidstone Crown Court today he lost control in a moment of "sheer madness" and stabbed Joe, 54, who he claims abused and bullied him his entire life.

Murphy, who suffers from severe learning difficulties, is then said to have stabbed his brother, Mark, 34, when he tried to intervene.

He denies murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The jury previously heard of the family's living arrangements in a three-bedroom property in Hectorage Road, Tonbridge, where the incident happened in May.

Murphy and his older brother shared a room and slept in single beds, arranged in an L-shape.

He told the jury there was little space, and the majority of items belonged to Mark.

He also said each family member had a designated seat in the living room, besides him.

"I would sit on the stairs or on a container box or I would go upstairs and mind my own business," Murphy added.

Asked by his barrister James Turner QC whether he ever had a girlfriend or crush, Murphy said yes, but the court heard his father found out and humiliated him.

"My dad went down to this charity shop and raided the bins he brought back some knickers he put them in an envelope and through her door, he made it look like it was me, I never saw her again," he added.

Murphy, who attended Paddock Wood Primary School and The Hayesbrook School in Tonbridge, said his father continually ridiculed him, called him names and bullied him, which led him to become a "ticking time-bomb".

The attack at the family home in Tonbridge erupted over the charging of Murphy's mobile phone. His father introduced a rule phones could only be charged once a week.

The jury heard the children lived by a strict set of rules including asking for a drink of water and paying for use of the family computer.

But Murphy's mother allowed him access to the phone charger for an extra day. An argument erupted when her husband found out.

Murphy, who previously lived in Snodland, stormed out of the property, sold his phone, bought four cans of Special Brew lager before buying a pack of three knives at a Sainsbury's store.

The prosecution claim he returned home, barged through the front door and stabbed his father as he sat in his armchair, while saying: "You deserve this, and this is what you're getting."

It's alleged he then knifed his brother in the arm when he stood between the pair and said: "I've been waiting to do that to you."

The court heard Murphy, who has a history of alcohol misuse, anxiety and depression, had abstained from alcohol since Christmas 2014.

He told the court: "I went to buy booze because my old man wound me up enough to push me to drink. I never intended to kill my old man. I can't remember buying the knives, I was drunk."

Murphy, who previously took an overdose of prescribed drugs, told the jury he returned home intoxicated, holding the knife, with the intention of taking his own life.

He said he entered the front room and his father stood up and began goading him.

"I just felt I could not go on anymore. I had no support whatsoever they had a problem with me I don't know why. My old man was egging me on, in a sheer moment of madness I lost it and stabbed him once.

"My mum is lying saying he was sitting down, this is what my family does. She always said what happens in this house stays in this house, she will lie," he added.

The 30-year-old said his brother interfered and raised his arm to strike him, so he stabbed him in an act of self defence.

Murphy's barrister, Mr Turner, said the defendant felt ridiculed and used by his family, as he was the only member bringing money into the household.

Murphy told the court his father was an aggressive, violent man who he feared due to his size and criminal record.

"He would sit in his chair all day and just talk about fighting, mum would tell him off and he didn't like that. I used to have vivid dreams about my old man abusing me and my mum."

Murphy told the jury on one occasion his father lined him and his three siblings up and struck them with a fishing rod. He said he also whipped the family dog with a horse whip for misbehaving.

Golf clubs which were found in the property's hallway were described as weapons, used by Mr Murphy.

The trial continues.