A violent confrontation took place in Hull when 40-year-old Thomas Hughes angrily demanded money from his parents to satisfy his desperate craving for drugs.
In a chilling episode on December 28, Hughes grabbed his terrified mother around the neck and began choking her after they told him they had no cash to spare.
Nigel Clive, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, detailed how Hughes, a serial criminal with a history of 81 offences—half of which were for theft—became aggressive when his parents refused to comply with his demands. Despite their pleas for him to leave their home, an argument escalated into violence. “He grabbed his mother’s neck and began to choke her,” said Mr. Clive. “Her eyes watered, and she felt like her eyes were rolling back in her head. It was deeply unpleasant.”
After the initial incident, Hughes left but returned the next day, demanding money. In a fit of anger, he called his mother derogatory names, including “grass” and “rat,” after she attempted to reach out to the man supplying him with drugs. Hughes then forcefully grabbed her and pushed her around the kitchen, further threatening to splash petrol around their home.
The situation intensified, leading to an argument between Hughes and his brother, who ultimately called the police. Officers arrived and arrested Hughes, who later admitted that the altercation stemmed from his need for drugs.
Hughes’ defence lawyer, John Dunning, highlighted the tragic nature of the case, noting that while Hughes had choked his mother, he did not restrict her breathing. “This is a desperately sad case,” said Mr. Dunning. “It brings home the damage that drug suppliers do. The altercation was wholly due to this man’s desperate need for money to get the drugs that he craves.”
Judge Tahir Khan KC addressed Hughes directly, stating, “You went to your mother and father’s home, and there was an incident in which you put your hands around your mother’s neck. That was an unpleasant thing to do and left your mother, no doubt, feeling upset. The following day, there was some further misbehaviour.”
Hughes was sentenced to 16 months in prison but was released shortly after due to time already served while in custody. He was also given a five-year restraining order to protect his mother from any further incidents.
