Man who attacked mother in Easter Ross is jailed for seven months
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A man has been jailed for seven months after assaulting his mother for the third time and then breaching a bail condition not to contact her.
James McAlinden, St Francis Gardens, Inverness, who has difficulties with alcohol abuse, called in at his mum’s home at Teaninich Street, Alness on November 1.
Procurator fiscal Roderick Urquhart told Tain Sheriff Court on Monday: “The accused turned up about 5pm and came into the house shouting. His mother tried to ignore him - she didn't wish to take him on. He sat down but then got up and proceeded to assault her, seizing her neck. She managed to free herself by hitting him with a colander."
The unemployed 46-year-old appeared at court three days after the incident and was granted bail on condition he did not enter Alness or attempt to approach his mother.
He went on to admit the assault at another court appearance on February 7 when sentence was deferred for reports.
Then on February 25 McAlinden breached his bail conditions by turning up at his mother’s home in a taxi.
Mr Urquhart said: "He asked his mother if she would give him money for a taxi. She went out and paid the taxi driver. The accused then locked her out of her own house. He left the house shortly after that but was arrested nearby."
At Monday’s court, defence agent Rory Gowans said that on the day he had attacked his mother, McAlinden had fallen off the wagon after six days sobriety.
He was waiting for a place at Beechwood House, Inverness, which offers a residential substance misuse service.
The lawyer said: “Had he not breached his bail, there may have been a possibility of a non-custodial sentence but he is realistic in terms of what disposal to expect.”
Passing sentence Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood noted it was the third time McAlinden had attacked his mother.
He backdated the jail sentence to the date McAlinden was taken into custody.
