A man grabbed his mother by the throat, pushed her to the sofa repeatedly and sat on her, a court has heard.

Ryan Michael Beal, whose address was given as Saxon Spur, Shaftesbury, appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, November 24 for sentencing.

Beal, 26, was charged with two counts of assault by beating and pleaded guilty to both at the first opportunity.

The court heard that, on April 24, 2022, Beal had been out drinking with his partner and mother and had “a few pints and a skittle-bomb”. They then returned to an address in Shaftesbury and, at some point during the evening, Beal was ‘asked to leave’.

Richard Withey, prosecuting, said Beal told his partner: “It is my house, not yours, your'e going to be leaving,” before grabbing her in a bear hug. His partner said “get off me, get off me”, prompting Beal’s mother to intervene.

It is then, the court heard, that Beal’s mother was shoved to the sofa - on five occasions - before Beal grabbed her by the throat and sat on her.

Kenneth Sharpe, mitigating, said the defendant ‘did not remember’ grabbing her by the throat but accepted that it had happened.

Mr Sharpe said Beal had “let his emotions out of control” and that the case was “a little strange in respects”. He noted that “everyone (involved) has struggled” and that there was no suggestion this was anything except for a one-off incident.

Beal, who is in employment and said to be ‘doing well’, made full admissions in a police interview and pleaded guilty to the offences at the first court hearing on August 31.

Sharpe told the court his client had “always been a little behind the curve” and didn’t speak until he was eight years old. Sharpe said whilst Beal hasn’t been formally diagnosed with any intellectual difficulties, he does ‘struggle’ at times.

Romana Phillips, chairman of the bench, accepted the recommendations of the probation report and instructed Beal to complete an alcohol abstinence programme for 58 days, complete eight rehabilitation activity requirement days, and be subject to a six month community order.

Beal must also pay a £95 surcharge to find victim services and costs of £85.