Grieving mother is locked up after fight in the street

A DEPRESSED mum has been jailed for her part in a late night disturbance in the street.

Mother-of-four Julie Bartlett was mourning the loss of her 16-year-old son Kyle Bartlett, who died in a moped accident in 2011, when she became 'over-protective' of two of her other children.

Prosecutor Fiona Cortese told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that neighbour David Nixon had returned to his home in St Mary's Road, Sandford Hill, Longton, at about 1am on February 11 last year when Bartlett's son Martyn walked towards him.

A dispute broke out and Julie Bartlett became involved.

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Martyn, aged 21, punched Mr Nixon's wife while his mum took hold of Mr Nixon.

"Martyn shouted, 'Are you going to hurt my mum,' and punched Mr Nixon to the face, knocking him to the floor," Miss Cortese said.

Mr and Mrs Nixon were both left with broken jaws. The court heard Mr Nixon now fears for his family's safety while Mrs Nixon suffers panic attacks.

Martyn Bartlett, of Leason Road, Meir, was jailed for 14 months in August after pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and affray.

But Judge Robert Trevor-Jones deferred sentence on Julie Bartlett, of St Mary's Road, after she pleaded guilty to affray.

However, the 41-year-old has failed to take her chance and was yesterday jailed for seven months – six months for the affray and one month for two charges of failing to surrender to custody.

Jason Holt, mitigating, said Bartlett had committed no further criminal offences apart from the bail act matters but conceded she faced a prison sentence.

Mr Holt said: "She is suffering from anxiety and depression. She got herself in such a state where she has effectively given up. She does not leave home.

"Much of her problems stem from the sad and untimely death of her son, Kyle. She became over-protective of the other children."

Mr Holt said Bartlett broke her five-year addiction to heroin but started binge drinking.

He added: "It was two of her children who first got in an argument with neighbours and she intervened. She very much became over-protective."

Judge Paul Glenn told Bartlett: "The affray was an unpleasant incident. Mr and Mrs Nixon had the misfortune to live close to you and your family. He was coming home from an evening out. You got involved and were physically violent towards both Mr and Mrs Nixon. Your son punched both of them, breaking their jaws."

The judge added: "I accept you suffer from depression. But help was offered to you and you rejected it, not least when Judge Trevor-Jones gave you a chance."