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Man attacked his mother in row over television, Leicester court told

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A drunken man assaulted his 64-year-old mother and knocked a door off its hinges during a row about a television programme.

Arthur Spong (43) then left her bungalow carrying a bottle of vodka and a homemade sword.

His distraught mother was crying and suffered a panic attack.

Spong, of no fixed address, was jailed for 10 months after admitting causing an affray at his mother's home in Eyres Monsell, Leicester.

Judge Simon Hammond made a restraining order banning Spong from contacting his mother either directly or indirectly until further order of the court.

Sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, the judge said: "What a horrible way to treat your mother after a petty row about the television. I hope the defendant realises his mother must have been terrified by what happened on that day."

He said Spong had an "atrocious" criminal record for offences including conspiracy to supply drugs, two assaults, possessing offensive weapons, a house burglary and possessing a firearm.

At the time of the incident with his mother, Spong was on licence from a 14-week sentence for breaching a restraining order in relation to harassment of a former partner.

Philip Gibbs, prosecuting, said Spong went to stay at his mother's home after being released from jail on November 12 last year.

Her said: "Matters progressed perfectly well until Sunday, November 18, when they had an argument about viewing of the television.

"It became quite heated and she was so upset by his attitude she told him he couldn't remain at her address and was going to phone the police and ask them to find him a hostel place instead.

"He took it badly and seized a plastic bottle of Coca-Cola and held it to her throat, before whacking her with it.

"He came at her aggressively, saying 'how could you do this to me' and, for a few seconds, put his thumbs on her throat."

Spong then backed off, but lost his temper again when he realised his mother had phoned her other son, who was on his way. Spong said his brother was going to "get it".

Mr Gibbs said the defendant left, taking some vodka and a homemade sword – a golf club minus the end, with some form of blade attached – which he had made previously for reasons unknown.

Spong was arrested nearby. The weapon was never recovered.

Mr Gibbs said: "His demeanour was strange and he was clearly intoxicated."

His mother suffered a red mark to her chest and expressed a wish to be "left alone" by the defendant in future, the court heard.

Katrina Wilson, mitigating, said Spong, a father of two, did not oppose the restraining order.

She said: "It wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been drinking, although he knows alcohol is no excuse."

Spong did not use the bladed weapon, or threaten anyone with it, and was not being prosecuted in relation to it, the court was told.

• Read more court and crime news at www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/crime

Man attacked his mother in row over television, Leicester court told


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