Drunk son David Matthews punched his mother in head after attacking partner

JEALOUS David Matthews head-butted his partner and then attacked his mother within two days, a court heard.

North Staffordshire magistrates yesterday heard Matthews had been drinking for five hours when he began to get angry at around 7pm on Feburary 13.

He believed his partner, Charlotte Worrall, had slept with another man.

Prosecutor Sandra Whitehurst said: "He got off the computer chair, grabbed her by the hair and head-butted her. She tried to ignore it."

Matthews went out but returned at 10pm.

Mrs Whitehurst said: "When he returned he accused her of sleeping with another man. He punched her to the left side of her jaw."

The court heard Matthews left again but returned when Miss Worrall was in bed.

"He went upstairs and threatened her. He accused her of sleeping with another man. She texted her father to get him to call the police."

Officers arrived to find Miss Worrall outside the house. Matthews was arrested.

Miss Worrall was left with a small lump to her head and soreness to her jaw.

Two days later, Matthews went to his mum's house at 12.45am.

"She says it was obvious he was drunk," said Mrs Whitehurst.

"He was shouting at her that he did not care about her. He did not care she did not call him and she was taking sides in an incident with his girlfriend.

"He punched her to the side of her face. He carried on punching her head. She tried to push him away but he grabbed her upper arms. She tried to get away."

Mrs Matthews suffered swelling to both eyes and bruising to her upper arm.

Two days later, on February 17, Matthews smashed his way into his partner's home in Adderley Road, Norton.

The police were called and he was arrested hiding under a bed.

Matthews, aged 27, of Wenger House, Albert Street, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and using violence to secure entry to premises.

Nick Davies, mitigating, told the court that Matthews is a complex individual.

He said: "Drink was his problem.

"When in drink he created problems for the two ladies in his life."

He added that neither victim wanted a restraining order.

Mr Davies told how Matthews has already spent 11 weeks on remand in relation to these matters.

He said: "His mother is very pleased he is getting help at last and he is doing what he can to take advantage of that help. He is not drinking.

"He wants to turn his life around."

Magistrates sentenced Matthews to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for two years, with two years' supervision, and he must attend the integrated domestic abuse programme and complete an alcohol treatment requirement.

The court also ordered him to pay £250 costs.