A DRUNKEN man who assaulted his mother had supported her through cancer treatment, a court was told.

Steven Jones, 53, had been into rehabilitation for alcohol four years ago, but had started drinking again when he struck, at the victim’s, home on March 18.

He was abusive and, when his mother Shirley Jones tried to ring the police, he grabbed hold of one of her arms. She told him to let her go, and the defendant then grabbed the mobile phone and damaged it, Burnley magistrates heard.

The hearing was told when the defendant was interviewed by police, he said he had been under the influence of drink, and everything was hazy.

Jones, of Victoria Road, Earby, admitted assault by beating, and damage.

He was put on an eight-week curfew, seven days a week, between 7pm and 6am. He must also pay £50 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge, and £85 costs.

Defence solicitor Iain Church-Taylor told the court Jones was seeing an alcohol counsellor.

He had been offered a job by an ex-employer who ran a building company, and was excited at the prospect of having work again.

Mr Church-Taylor said: “He does love his parents very much, especially his mother. He spent months by her bedside every afternoon when she had been diagnosed with cancer and stopped drinking for five months.”