A MAN who stamped on his elderly mother's chest in what was described in court as an attack of “sheer brutality” has been jailed, after pleading guilty during a video-link hearing at Dungannon Magistrates Court.

A MAN who stamped on his elderly mother’s chest in what was described in court as an attack of “sheer brutality” has been jailed, after pleading guilty during a video-link hearing at Dungannon Magistrates Court.

Police received an emergency phone call around 6am on July 21 from the sister of Gerard Francis Nixon (32), originally from Dungannon but presently in Maghaberry Prison, to say he was beating their mother up.

When officers arrived at the house they discovered Nixon being physical restrained by his brother, whilst his sister was slumped against a wall, in a very distressed state. The elderly lady was discovered lying on the floor in an upstairs room.


Police challenged Nixon who swore and kicked an officer square in the chest. He then stamped on his mother’s chest.

ARRESTED

After ignoring all warnings officers deployed CS spray and Nixon was handcuffed and arrested.

He was conveyed to Dungannon Police Station and placed in a cell which he proceeded to urinate over.

Officers moved him to another cell where he defecated and smeared faeces over the walls. Further charges of causing criminal damage to the cells were put to Nixon and he replied, “whatever”.

The following day he was interviewed and said he could neither confirm nor deny the allegations as he had no recall of events due to being heavily intoxicated.

He stated he would never assault his mother, but may have hit her by accident.


In court a defence barrister said his client was sorry for his behaviour and accepts it was very poor.

Whilst Nixon is estranged from his family at present, he hopes to patch up the relationship.

Ordering a sentence of four months in custody, District Judge John Meehan remarked, “Despite the guilty plea, I cannot overlook the sheer brutality of this incident.”