A MAN banned previously from approaching his mother was jailed yesterday after he assaulted her in the face with a hot cup of tea.

Hudson Morris, 33, of Tir Llwyn, Rhos, received 18 weeks for assaulting Wendy Mitchell and breaching a restraining order not to enter her home.

But he also received an extra 10 weeks imprisonment for being in breach of the restraining order.

Flintshire magistrates heard it was a sad case where Morris’ mother and stepfather had tried to help him but could no longer cope with his behaviour.

She no longer felt safe in her own home and feared she might be forced to move.

Prosecutor Robert Blakemore said following a previous assault a restraining order was made last year and Morris was given a suspended prison sentence.

His mother said her son had a drugs problem and his behaviour had deteriorated over the last decade.

She had to call police because he would come to the house asking for money for drugs or to pay his bills.

The mother and her partner felt uneasy in their own home and a restraining order had been put in place.

But on Monday night he went into the kitchen, was agitated and said he wanted money.

She said she did not keep money in the house, showed him she only had £1 in her purse and there was an argument.

Her partner got him some tobacco when he asked for it but Morris who had helped himself to a cup of tea threw the cup at his mother.

It struck her to the face and she screamed out in pain.

Tea went all over the living room – over a mirror and an unit – and the cup smashed on the floor.

She was frightened and her partner rushed over to try to protect her.

Interviewed, Morris said he had been for a walk along and could not remember anything else. He accepted throwing the cup and said he was glad it had hit her.

Mark Davies, defending, said it was a sad case where Morris’ mother had previously done her best for her son, trying to care for him and feed him although he did not live at home.

She could no longer cope with his behaviour but he was desperate for money to pay bills and for food.

His drugs problem was being met by prescription and he was co-operating with the drugs intervention services but he had no money because there had been a problem with his incapacity benefit.

“The offences were born out of desperation," said Mr Davies.

He had been going around picking up cigarette butts off the floor so he could have a smoke.

He was something of an isolated individual who had a brother and a sister but they no longer had anything to do with him.