Dec 09 – “Giant” Man Who Assaulted His 79-Year-Old Mother Jailed For Two Years
A “giant” who forced a ball of tissue paper down his 79-year-old mother’s throat after repeatedly slapping and punching her was jailed today for two years at the Supreme Court.
Alan Cruz, of Kestrel House, Road to the Lines, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of causing actual bodily harm.
The court heard how Cruz, under the influence of drink and drugs, went to his mother’s flat in Alameda Estate on the night of 1st May this year.
Cruz forced his way into her home and started behaving aggressively demanding the she hand over his money and his shoes.
He then started slapping and punching her on the face causing bruising, swelling, some nasal bleeding and other injuries.
Cruz then took a ball of tissue paper and shoved it down his mother’s throat shouting: “Traga, traga, a ver si te mueres! / Swallow, swallow, let’s see if you die!”
Cruz’s mother said she felt like she was about to lose consciousness at this point.
The defendant fled the scene after this while his mother sought help from a neighbour.
Cruz was arrested the following day by police and interviewed.
Appearing for the defendant, lawyer Thomas Hillman said that it was a very serious case involving the assault of a vulnerable victim.
However, in mitigation, he said that his client – whom he described as “a big man with a big heart” - felt genuinely remorseful. He added that Cruz suffered from a mental illness, had learning difficulties and “lacked maturity.”
Puisne Judge Karen Ramagge Prescott said that the attack on the elderly victim by her “giant of a son” must have left her “terrified.” She highlighted the fact that Cruz also had two previous convictions for violent offences relating to his mother.
Sharon Peralta appeared for the Crown.
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