Nobel Prize winning biologist and former master of Magdalene College Professor Sir John Gurdon was the victim of an attempted strangling by his son, a court has heard.

William Gurdon appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to two counts of assault.

The unemployed 45-year-old committed the offence in October of last year. The court heard how William Gurdon lived in one wing of the family's home in Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire, while his parents lived in the other. Since the incident he has been staying in a bed & breakfast.

He suffers from alcoholism and has previously undergone rehab at The Priory clinic.

Sir John - who received the Nobel Prize in medicine in 2012 for his pioneering research in cloning - told the police how William became angry when he suggested to him that he should seek help for his drinking.

According to the prosecution, "William was being very aggressive towards his father."

“Then suddenly William lurched towards John and pushed his mother out of the way, knocking her to the floor causing a cut to her head.

“When she got up she saw John on his back on the floor with William standing over him and his hands squeezing his neck. She tried to pull him off but he was too strong so she shouted at him. John was making choking noises.”

Police found that William was drunk when they arrested him.  The prosecution added: “He told officers he meant to do it - that he wanted to get arrested and his mum does nothing about his drink problem.”

The defendant’s lawyer said that his client’s was an “unusual living situation” and that William had been stuggling to find employment at the time of the attack.  Adding, “At the time of the offence he was drinking everyday and now he only drinks two evenings a week.”

Gurdon was given a suspended prison sentence, with 12 months of supervision and a compulsory alcohol treatment programme.  He has also been ordered to pay 85 pounds in court costs.

District Judge Ken Sheraton told the defendant: "Your behaviour was disgraceful. Your parents have given you money and provided you with a place to live, and you treated them in the way you have.”

Speaking after the hearing, Sir John's wife Lady Jean said: “William has been very remorseful; his actions had a lot to do with drink. 

“We are welcoming him back to our home and he is trying to get himself cured of all his problems. We love him dearly and want to help him.”