Stockton man strangled and repeatedly kicked his mother

Samuel Henley had been sharing a takeaway and drinking with his mother before exploding into violence after he started antagonising her.

The 32-year-maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle before he launched his violent attack on her, Teesside Crown Court heard.

John Crawford, prosecuting, said the defendant was pushed away by his mother before violently attacking her.

He said: “He dragged her by her hair while on the floor and trying to get her hands out of the way of her face.

“She started shouting for help and the defendant started kicking her numerous times while she was on the floor.

“He has then placed two hands around her neck, strangling her. She described herself starting to lose her breath.”

Mr Crawford said a neighbour came to the property and the defendant released his grip on her, allowing her the opportunity to smash her way out of her home and escape.

Hanley, of Brusselton Court, Stockton, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and common assault on his mother on January 5.

Lee Goodchild, mitigating, said Hanley maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle, but accepted that was no excuse for his violent reaction.

“He was candid in the police interview,” he said. “He told them exactly what happened and said the argument was caused by the consumption of alcohol.”

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Recorder Ayesha Smart sentenced Hanley to 20 months in custody for the sustained attack.

She said: “There has clearly been a history of a torrid relationship between you two – borne out of both of you using crack cocaine.

“There was some sort of verbal altercation. She obviously started things by grabbing something and striking you, but you went above and beyond by dragging her by her hair, you kicked her repeatedly and when she shouted help, you strangled her.”

Henley was also made subject to a three-year restraining order to protect his mother.