Man 'hammered' his mum, 81

7:17pm Friday 30th November 2007

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A 50-year-old man "hammered" his 81-year-old mother when she came to his house to do his shopping for him.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Paul Graham Cundy grabbed his mum by the arm causing her to fall to the floor.

He was screaming and shouting as he put his hands around her throat and then started punching her in the face.

Scott Ainge, prosecuting, said later in the day Cundy left a voice message on his daughter's phone said he had a "big fight" with her grandma and had "hammered her."

Cundy, 50, of Barlow Court, Turton, pleaded guilty to assaulting Margaret Cundy.

He was sentenced to 120 days in prison suspended for 12 months, made subject to community supervision for 12 months and ordered to pay £300 compensation and £43 costs.

Passing sentence the chairman of the magistrates said they had been "absolutely appalled" at the injuries and psychological damage Cundy had inflicted on his elderly mother when she had come to help him.

Mr Ainge said Mrs Cundy used to catch a bus from her home in Darwen three times a week to go to her son's house and do his shopping.

On the day of the incident she was concerned that her son, a reforming alcoholic, was drinking.

She said he was in a strange mood and constantly swearing at her.

Mr Ainge said the attack on his mother had been sparked when she went to massage his leg because he had a cramp but touched the wrong leg.

Cundy's daughter, Victoria, said the incident had a profound effect on her grandma.

She had gone from being a sprightly, confident lady to being withdrawn and afraid to leave her own home.

"You would think she would be entitled to feel safe in the company of her own son," said Mr Ainge.

"The fact she is considering going into a home shows the devastating effect this has had on her."

Debbie Morgan, defending, said Cundy had no previous convictions.

He had previously been married with two children but the marriage fell apart in 1984.

He fell into depression and alcoholism which plagued him for 15 years.

"Five years ago he gave up drink on medical advice and before this incident had only lapsed twice," said Miss Morgan.

She said Cundy was not a well man and for his various ailments took 13 different types of medication which meant taking 29 tablets every day.

On the day before the incident he had been visited by a daughter he hadn't seen for six years and this had caused some emotional stress.

"When he went to the shop on Monday he foolishly bought a bottle of vodka and drank a large amount before falling asleep," said Miss Morgan.

"He wasn't expecting his mum to call on that day."

She said Cundy was genuinely appalled by what he had done and genuinely concerned for his mother.

Cundy said: "I am disgusted by my behaviour.

"It's never happened before and I'm very sorry for what has happened.

"My mother has forgiven me and she is coming to see me this week.

"It's all been sorted out. "