HORDEN THUG STRANGLED MUM BEFORE PUSHING HER DOWN STAIRS
A man under the influence of drugs assaulted his mother, strangling her and then pushing her down the stairs in a fit of paranoid rage.During the court hearing at Durham Crown Court, it was revealed that in his angry state, he shattered a mirror and knocked a television onto the floor before shouting into his mother’s face and grabbing her in a chokehold.
Prosecutor Jennifer Coxon stated that when Mrs.
Johnston tried to push him away, he encircled her neck with his arms, restricting her breathing for approximately 15 to 20 seconds.
She attempted to defend herself by grabbing a picture frame, but Johnston pushed her down the stairs, causing her significant pain and concern that she might have fractured something.
Following this, Johnston went into the kitchen and grabbed items from cupboards, which he then threw at his mother.
She managed to escape the assault along with Johnston’s younger brother and sought refuge at a neighbor’s house before heading to the hospital for treatment.
Johnston, aged 24 and formerly residing on Roseby Road, Horden, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and criminal damage during his first court appearance in March.
The sentencing hearing on Thursday, May 21, heard that at the time of the incident, Johnston was serving an 18-month community order that was imposed in October for wounding a former partner during an excessive “play fight” in June of the previous year.
In mitigation, Michael Forrest told the court that Johnston expressed deep remorse and was very upset about how his actions had disrupted his family life, as noted in his pre-sentence report.
Mr.
Forrest explained that the defendant is a young man battling mental health issues and neurodiversity, which have worsened significantly since 2024.
Johnston has attempted to seek help but also made the mistake of self-medicating with substances.
He has conveyed sincere remorse and a desire to cease drug use and improve his mental health, stating that time in custody has been “breaking him.” Judge Anthony Dunne, having reviewed the probation and mental health reports, addressed Johnston, saying: “On March 10 this year, you were at your mother’s house accusing her of hiding someone.
It appears you were experiencing paranoia, searching the property and damaging items, before assaulting her by grabbing her in a chokehold and tightly wrapping your hands around her neck.
That is extremely dangerous behavior.
You were under the influence of multiple illegal substances and cannot recall much of what happened, though you are shocked at what you inflicted on her due to your paranoia and hypervigilance.
I acknowledge your lack of maturity and note references to childhood trauma, which likely contributed to your paranoia.” The judge noted that the pre-sentence report indicated there is little chance for rehabilitation in the community at this time.
Consequently, he sentenced Johnston to 14 months in prison and issued a restraining order banning him from visiting his mother’s home or any other address where she may be residing for the next three years.
