A Lurgan man who assaulted his mother and punched through her window has been sentenced to three months in prison.
Court heard that the 37-year-old waived his right to a pre-sentence report and had spent the last six weeks in custody.
Steven Cranston, of Avenue Road, pleaded guilty to common assault and criminal damage at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, via videolink from Maghaberry.
Court heard that on November 5, at around 8pm, police received a 999-call from the injured party who stated that the defendant, her son, had smashed all the windows at her home.
Officers arrived at the scene and arrested Cranston.
The injured party made a statement, she said she had witnessed the defendant engaging in a fight with another male whilst she was out on a walk with her partner at 7pm that same evening.
Her partner made a 999-call in order to take Cranston to hospital but he walked off.
The injured party then returned home, but the defendant then turned up at this address banging on the door.
Cranston’s mother refused him entry and the defendant responded by putting his fist through a double glazed window.
The injured party and her partner left through the kitchen door and called police.
Cranston came to the back of the property and ran at his mother.
She once more went back into the house, with her partner.
The defendant then kicked in the kitchen door of the property before punching his mother on the left arm three times.
The injured party tried to calm Cranston down but he continued to be agitated.
He was later arrested for common assault and criminal damage.
Court was told the defendant gave a no comment interview.
Prosecution informed the court that there was no estimate provided for the damages and that the injured party had no lasting injuries.
Defence barrister David McKeown stated: “This a mother and son who have fallen out in the past but this level of violence has never been seen before.”
On this occasion, the defendant’s home had been targeted and he had gone to his mother’s house to stay.
Mr McKeown stated: “His mother did not grant him entry due to his agitated state. He reacted in a way which he should not have.
“He is deeply ashamed and embarrassed by the way in which he behaved.”
The barrister added that Cranston pleaded guilty even though if the case had gone to contest there was a good chance his mother would not have attended.
Deputy District Judge Peter Magill stated: “This is disgraceful behaviour but you have pleaded guilty which I will give you credit for.”
He added: “There is some merit in what your barrister has said on your behalf with the knowledge that your mother may not have turned up at a contest.”
Cranston was sentenced to three months in prison; with time served of six weeks, Judge Magill told the defendant that he would be “eligible for release very soon”.
