Published: Friday, 5th February, 2010 8:00am

'It's a weight off my mind'

A MAN who stabbed a teenager after he had allegedly assaulted his stepson has spoken of his relief that criminal charges will not be brought against him.

Thames Valley Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided that Colin Philpott was defending his family and property at his home in Crowthorne with reasonable force during the incident on July 24 last year.

Mr Philpott was originally charged with attempted murder after he intervened to try to help stepson Alex Lee.

The CPS revealed they would not press charges on Thursday last week.

Mr Philpott, 58, said: "We are very relieved."

"It has been like a weight has been removed from my shoulders." He declined to comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The arrests came in July last year when Alex Lee confronted five teenagers allegedly vandalising his stepdad's car in the driveway of their home.

Mr Philpott grabbed a letter opener and rushed out to defend his stepson.

During the incident a teenager was allegedly stabbed.

CPS complex casework lawyer Paul Harrison said: "I have considered the case against Colin Philpott very carefully and decided that there is insufficient evidence to charge him with any offence in relation to this incident.

"In making my decision, I took into account the level of force used by Mr Philpott, the fact that he was defending his family and property and responding to an immediate threat of danger to himself.

"In my view the prosecution would not be able to establish that Mr Philpott was not acting in self-defence or that the force he used was unreasonable in the circumstances."

A 17-year-old man from Sandhurst has been charged with actual bodily harm in relation to the alleged attack upon Mr Philpott's stepson and criminal damage in relation to the alleged vandalism of his vehicles.

He is due to appear at Maidenhead Youth Court on Thursday, February 18.

A second man aged 17 has been charged with a public order offence and is due to appear at the same court on the same date.

The three other youths arrested in connection with the incident have been released without charge.

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