Belfast: Man jailed for assault on mother with dementia

Prosecutors said Aaron Mitchell struck the 92-year-old woman during an altercation at a convenience store

A man who assaulted his mother, who lives with dementia, has been jailed for three months.

Prosecutors said Aaron Mitchell struck the 92-year-old woman during an altercation at a shop in Belfast.

Mitchell, 49, from Canberra Park in Newtownabbey, pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard police were alerted to the incident at a Spar store on the Antrim Road on 23 February.

The prosecution said: "Staff observed (Mitchell) hitting his mother, who is quite elderly, she is 92."

The defence told the court Mitchell apologised and had remorse for his actions.

"He is an only child who lives with his mother, they are dependent on one another," the solicitor explained.

"Mrs Mitchell suffers from dementia and in her senility can become quite aggressive, he acted out in that context."

"That is an explanation, not an excuse," they added.

The District Judge George Conner was told the victim wanted to maintain contact with her son.

Passing sentence, he said: "This is a serious matter… there will be three months (custody)."