Shropshire Star

Newtown pensioner who assaulted his mother with walking stick avoids jail term

A pensioner who put the hook of his walking stick around his 87-year-old mother’s neck has narrowly escaped prison.

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Michael David Watts, 69, living in Newtown but previously of Orchard View, Evenjobb, had already admitted assaulting Rosaline Stella Watts at the Orchard View property on July 10 when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting, Rhian Jones said on July 11, Rosaline Stella Watts told the police she had been assaulted by her son with his walking stick at their home in Evenjobb.

Police attended and heard a male shouting ‘bang, bang I will do it good and proper, we would be better off without you’. Police went upstairs and found Watts in the bedroom, drunk.

He was arrested and during interview accepted what he had done.

The prosecutor said Watts had admitted putting the hook of his walking stick around his mother’s neck and afterwards she had become upset.

Ms Jones said that Watts had also said that one day he would hit her if she did not stop moaning.

Defending, Geraint Jones said Watts and his mother were now living apart.

He said: “He says he did not intend to harm his mother.

“But there was a caution for another assault on his mother earlier this year.

“It’s something that happened very much on the spur of the moment and he very much regrets it.”

Watts was sentenced to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He also must carry out 10 rehabilitation days and abide by a restraining order.

Watts was ordered to pay a further £115 surcharge and £85 costs.