A TEENAGER assaulted his mum, accusing her of ‘ruining his life’, a court heard.
Matthew Steven Bennet-Eley, 18, appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’, where he pleaded guilty to the offence against his mum Rebecca Bennet.
The court was told he had assaulted his mum on July 27 and received a caution because she did not wish to press charges.
He was said to have been planning to join his girlfriend in Norway and work as an au pair.
Googling the consequences of the caution, he was said to have realised he may not have been allowed to travel to the country to find employment.
The court heard he had confronted his mother the day after the first assault.
Prosecutor Diane Jackson said: “He was arrested the day before for an assault on his mum when he pushed her.
“He came back to his mum’s address angry and shouting.
“She was scared by what took place.
“She doesn’t like it when he reacts like that.
“She doesn’t know what would have happened if her partner had not stepped in.”
Bennet-Eley’s solicitor Liz Phizaklea said the defendant explained to his girlfriend on the phone that he was depressed and word got through to his mother.
She said: “He told his mum on numerous occasions that he needs help and she refused to let him access those services.
“His mother effectively told him to ‘get a grip’.
“This made anger build up inside him.
“He looked up the effects of the caution and found it may have affected his job prospects and ability to travel.
“He said to her she ruined his life.”
She said the defendant had since visited his GP to be diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
Magistrates sentenced the defendant, of Palmer Lane in Millom, to a fine of £80 for the offence.
They also told him to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £85 costs for bringing the case to court.
Chair of magistrates Anne Hawson told him: “We note this offence is aggravated by the domestic setting.”
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