South Shields man given ‘final warning’ after grabbing his gran’s neck

Daniel Gaunt got a community order in June last year after he put turps in his mum's glass to "annoy" her when she changed her mind about allowing him to spend the night at her home in July 2023.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Gaunt was living with his 71-year-old grandmother in August last year and she heard him come back drunk, while she was in bed.

In a shocking confrontation about cigarettes Gaunt grabbed his gran's neck and shouted in her face.

Gaunt, 21, of Beach Road, South Shields, admitted common assault.

Prosecutor Ian Cook told the court the victim had heard Gaunt come in: "Initially she though he had fallen asleep downstairs but around 15 or 20 minutes later he went upstairs into the victim's bedroom and asked for a cigarette.

"There was a discussion about him being drunk and he went back downstairs then 15 minutes later he returned asking for another cigarettes.

"She told him to go away and not to disturb her but 15 minutes later he returned asked for another cigarette, which she refused.

"She went down to make a drink and he followed her, he became angry at the face she refused him a further cigarette.

"He became aggressive. She started to film him on her mobile phone so she could show him and the defendant tried to grab the phone from her.

"He grabbed her by the neck with one hand for a couple of seconds. The defendant remained in an aggressive state, shouting in her face comments such as 'I'm going to smash your face in'.

"She said she was going to call the police and he left the property."

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In an impact statement the gran said she had been living "on egg shells" and found going to work a respite from his behaviour at home.

Elisha Marsay, defending, said Gaunt now speaks to his grandmother "every day" and spends time with her.

Miss Marsay said Gaunt struggles with emotional regulation and acknowledges he "gets angry easily".Judge Stephen Earl said Gaunt, who has mental health problems, is "doing well" on the community order imposed last year and has a realistic prospect of change if he continues to engage with the probation service.

Judge Earl sentenced him to three months suspended for 12 months with a £50 fine and warned him: "This is your final warning today."

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