WALLSEND SON JAILED FOR ASSAULT AND THREATS TO MOTHER
A shameful son who punched, strangled, bit and threatened to kill his mother while swinging a knife towards her has been jailed.A court heard that John McLaughlin, 22, of Laurel Street, Wallsend, twice turned violent, leaving his mum in pain and a "nervous wreck." On February 21, McLaughlin was at his mother's home with his girlfriend, having a few drinks to celebrate his birthday when trouble suddenly flared.
Prosecutor Joe Culley said: "The mood changed when his brother was mentioned.
It appears there's no love lost between them.
He suddenly flipped and began punching objects in the house.
He was abusive to his mum, saying 'get your f****** son here because I'm going to kill him' and 'if you don't get him here you're going to get it'." The court heard McLaughlin grabbed a 30cm kitchen knife and swung it towards his mother, shouting "I'm going to kill you, you're going to get it." She wrestled with him and took the knife away.
He then pushed her to the floor and began strangling her with force.
She feared for her safety and kicked out, causing him to stop because she was bleeding.
McLaughlin and his partner then left, leaving his mum in a "nervous wreck." On March 11, he returned with a friend his mum didn't know.
He was "agitated and in a rage" and started arguing, making stabbing motions with a knife.
His mum tried to disarm him, was pushed to the ground, and was then punched multiple times in the ribs.
When she called police, he bit her shoulder and threatened to take a chunk from her back.
A pot of paint was spilled and dragged into the floor.
His mum stated: "I'm petrified.
I feel unsafe in my own home and feel I need to move because of him." Despite this history, McLaughlin, who has 34 previous convictions and was on a suspended sentence for burglary, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a charge of affray and was sentenced to 16 months in prison.
Defence lawyer Jonathan Cousins said McLaughlin "lacks maturity," had a difficult upbringing witnessing domestic violence, spent time in care, and has ADHD and substance misuse issues.
He expressed that McLaughlin was distraught over his behavior and the harm caused to someone he loves.
