THE father of Medway’s terror triplets has escaped jail over a violent incident at a family wake.

Patrick Morris and his two sons Brian, 19, and Martin, 18, were each ordered to complete community punishment orders. A judge at Maidstone Crown Court told the father that he had come close to being sent to prison.

The court heard that trouble started at the Jubilee pub in Darnley Road, Strood, on August 12 last year at a wake for the sons’ grandmother.

A police officer saw 36-year-old Morris fighting with his son Martin in the beer garden. Family members were then seen brawling with each other.

Brian Morris ended up struggling with a PC. “He was shouting, ranting, swearing and raising his fists,” said Tetteh Turkson, prosecuting.

Martin Morris struggled with a WPC and kicked her a number of times. When arrested, he kicked out again. Mr Turkson said after CS gas was used to try to subdue the situation, the drunk father punched PC James Derham on the back of the head.

He later began swearing and told another officer: “"You’re dead if you get in my way.”

The father and sons, all of Watling Street, Strood, admitted affray.

Miss Recorder Kathryn Peat told them: "This is not the sort of behaviour that is tolerated. I have heard about the occasion and the fact that you may have had too much to drink, but that does not excuse it. Patrick Morris, you in particular come very close to a custodial sentence."

But the judge said she had taken into account various matters, including that he was a full-time carer for one of his daughters.

Imposing community punishment, Recorder Peat ordered the father to complete 240 hours, Brian Morris 160 hours and Martin Morris 120 hours.

Triplets Shane, Natalie and Sarah Morris, now 16, attracted the attention of the national media at the age of 11 for terrorising traders in Gillingham.

They were given the first anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) to be served by Medway magistrates under new legislation.

In March 2002, when living in Richmond Road, Gillingham, they wedre given supervision orders for breaching the ASBO.

Under the order, they were not allowed to enter 10 shops and forbidden from causing alarm, harassment or distress to traders, employees or customers.

Shopkeepers expressed outrage when the troublesome trio walked free from court, fearing they would continue to offend.

The order was lifted in February last year but the two girls, Natalie and Sarah, caused havoc in the Pentagon shopping centre at Chatham and two Strood stores. They are now subject to a new order which will last until they are 18.