Son's drunken attack on mum (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Son's drunken attack on mum

8:00am Saturday 1st September 2012 in News

A MOTHER who was left covered in bruises after being attacked by her son has won a court order banning him from going near her for three years.

Steven Yanks was yesterday given a suspended jail sentence for the drunken assault on his mother Sheila, 45, at the home of a friend in Middlesbrough.

But Judge Peter Bowers, sitting at Teesside Crown Court, imposed a restraining order which prohibits Yanks from contacting her or going near her home.

Yanks, who admitted an actual bodily harm assault, will be freed from prison in November after being recalled to finish a threeyear drugs sentence.

Judge Bowers ordered that the 28-year-old undergo supervision, anger management classes and an alcohol awareness course upon his release.

The court heard how Yanks was drunk and had just bought a three-litre bottle of cider when he attacked his mother at a a gathering on May 21 this year.

She suffered two black eyes, as well as extensive bruising and swelling to her ribs, jaw, shoulders and hands after being repeatedly punched.

Sue Jacobs, prosecuting, told the court that she also had clumps of hair ripped out before a bystander intervened and dragged the victim to safety.

Andrew Teate, mitigating, said Yanks, of Pallister Avenue, Middlesbrough, would benefit from help from the community domestic violence team.

Many of his previous convictions for violence were for offences against people with whom he was in a relationship or relatives, Mr Teate said.

The court heard how Mrs Yanks slapped her son and told him to “stop being nasty” after he made remarks about her partner and late husband.

He then flew into a rage, pushed his mother to the floor and repeatedly punched her in the head and body until she was rescued from the onslaught.

Yanks was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was told by Judge Bowers: “I don’t think extending your release will do any good.

“I don’t need to go over the events.

“They don’t do you any credit – you seem to accept that when you are sober.”