A son has been jailed for an "outrageous" attack on his ill mum when he was drunk.
Steven Youll assaulted his mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer, by "windmilling his arms".
The attack left her with swelling and pain around her face and head, it was said at Newcastle Crown Court.
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Now Youll, 33, of no fixed abode, has been given an 11-month jail sentence after he pleaded guilty to assault and breaching a restraining order.
Under the order, Youll was banned from harassing or alarming his mum. But on March 13, he turned up at her home in Newcastle and attacked her.
Prosecutor Neil Pallister said the victim was lying on the sofa in her living room and had recently had surgery for a cancer diagnosis. She was taking painkillers at the time.
"She was woken up by noise outside," said Mr Pallister. "It was her son. He had nowhere else to go, he had been kicked out of a number of hostels.
"He was heavily intoxicated and he was angry about some children he heard swearing in the street. His mother tried to calm him down."
However, an innocuous comment made by his mum appeared to upset him and the matter escalated.
He began "windmilling his arms" and "punched her repeatedly about her head and face", said the prosecutor.
"She tried to protect herself," Mr Pallister added.
"She said 'Steven, it's mam'. However this did not stop him. He was described as having vacant eyes."
Youll then went upstairs and told his mother not to ring the police. However, she contacted officers and police arrived at her house to find the defendant apparently asleep in a bedroom.
When he was arrested and being led outside, he looked at his mum in the living room and said "you're dead".
The victim suffered pain and swelling to her head, and reddening and swelling to her cheek bones and eyes, the court was told.
Jamie Adams, defending, said the defendant had mental health difficulties and was particularly affected after the traumatic death of his father in 2013.
He also said Youll had not been taking his medication at the time of the offence.
"He has had problems with his mental health for some years now. That has been exacerbated by the need to have drink," said Mr Adams.
"There was a devastating event in his life in 2013 when he woke up to find his father lying dead in the street. It's a death that he has not gotten over. It's been difficult for him."
Mr Adams said Youll had sought help for his problems and was taking his medication now, and there was a "prospect of rehabilitation".
He added: "He's clearly showing remorse for what he did and an understanding of what he did."
Youll's mum also told the court her son was seeking help and there was a "good prospect of things working out".
"He's definitely remorseful", she added.
However Mr Recorder Andrew Smith imposed a prison sentence on Youll, who had breached a restraining order for the fifth time.
He told Youll: "You have got difficulties in your life. I don't underestimate the effect finding your father in 2013 has had upon you."
He told him he could address his difficulties and added: "Only you can address them.
"Cut down the amount of alcohol you are drinking and ensure you follow the directions of those providing you medical treatment.
"These offences are serious, aggravated by a number of previous breaches. Your mum is a vulnerable person. She sees the better side of you, she continues to loyally stand by you.
"On this particular occasion your behaviour was simply outrageous."
