Drunken trawlerman assaulted mother in cash cocaine row
Christopher Beswick, 24, from Newton Road, Bishopsteignton, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage at Torquay Magistrates Court and was told he must wait until July 20 to find out what his sentence will be.
The court had previously heard Beswick returned home on June 26 after being at the pub all day and demanded £80 from his mother so he could pay someone for cocaine.
But when she refused he became aggressive.
His mother retreated to her bedroom and tried to call the police, but Beswick ripped the phone out of the wall, before pushing his mother over.
He then went downstairs and damaged a microwave, pan stand and dishwasher, totalling an estimated £650.
Prosecuting Phillip Sewell, said: "He said that he lost it."
But in mitigation, defence solicitor David Charles said his client had already spent three days in custody since his arrest and was currently an out of work trawlerman who had work in the pipeline, adding he had no previous convictions for violence.
Chairman of the bench Anne Tully said: "Based on what we have heard, so far, we are of the opinion your offending is serious enough for a community sentence, so we are going to ask probation to prepare a report."
Mrs Tully explained she was considering a high community order and adjourned Beswick's sentencing until July 20, adding: "At the next hearing we expect the bench to be able to sentence you provided you have attended your meetings with the probation service."
