‘Hostile’ man attacked wife and son after demanding instant noodles

He also aimed a kick at a police officer’s head

A man who attacked his estranged wife and son after demanding instant noodles has been jailed. Tom Brown, 46, had separated from his wife but had not yet moved out of her home in Woodditton, near Newmarket, when an argument began on January 4.

Brown stormed out but returned about 30 minutes later and became angry at the victim for not having any instant noodles in the house. The couple’s daughter and son intervened and Brown went upstairs. However, he came down about 15 minutes later and the row continued.

Their son ushered the victim out of the kitchen and Brown followed, tackling her to the floor and pressing his weight onto her so she couldn’t breathe. The son intervened by trying to get Brown off his mum, but Brown pushed him to the floor, grabbed him around the throat, and strangled him for a few seconds.

The victim got up and fled with the children to a neighbour’s house. Brown followed and began shouting before officers arrived and arrested him. He also aimed a kick at an officer’s head as he was being taken out of a police van at Parkside Police Station.

Brown, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years and eight months on Friday (August 21), at Cambridge Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty at the start of his trial to two counts of actual bodily harm and one count of common assault of an emergency worker.

He denied two counts of intentional strangulation which will remain on file. Brown was also handed a 15-year restraining order against the victims.

DC Jack Sillince, who investigated, said: “Brown’s attack on his wife and son was abhorrent and he was incredibly hostile to police who came to intervene. We wouldn’t have managed to secure this conviction without the support of the victims, and I’d particularly like to praise the son who protected his mum. He was given a High Sheriff’s commendation and a £250 reward.

“The judge noted how little remorse Brown had shown and the level of arrogance he displayed throughout the whole process by blaming the victims.”