Gareth Challenger, a 33-year-old man, carried out a violent attack on his mother, Carole Challenger, at his residence in Caerphilly on July 2.
Prior to the incident, Gareth had been out shopping with his partner and had consumed excessive amounts of alcohol, necessitating medical attention.
On the day of the incident, Carole visited her son’s home to clean up dog mess and a quilt that had been left in the garden.
Upon arrival, she noticed Gareth standing at the back door, visibly intoxicated.
While Carole continued her cleaning, Gareth attempted to remove some bedding, prompting her to urge him to “sort himself out.”
This simple request quickly escalated into a heated argument that turned violent.
During the altercation, Gareth grabbed his mother by the throat and forcibly pushed her against a car, applying pressure to her neck, causing her to choke.
A concerned neighbor intervened and demanded that Gareth leave his mother alone.
He released his grip on Carole’s throat but responded by punching her in the face.
Terrified and in distress, Carole managed to escape by getting into her car and driving away.
However, she overheard Gareth offering to fight the intervening neighbor.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the neighbor promptly alerted the police, leading to Gareth’s arrest.
In her victim personal statement, Carole expressed the emotional trauma she experienced due to her son’s actions.
She shared her anguish, explaining that she had been crying herself to sleep at night, unable to come to terms with Gareth strangling and punching her.
Carole felt that Gareth displayed no remorse for his actions and feared that if he were released from prison, he would continue down a destructive path without learning from his wrongdoing.
During the sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, Gareth Challenger pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation.
The court took into account his prior criminal record, which included four convictions, including two incidents of battery against his mother and driving-related offenses.
In response to his violent behavior, Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Gareth Challenger to a total of 84 weeks imprisonment.
Additionally, he imposed a restraining order to protect Carole from any further harm.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of alcohol-fueled violence and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.
The victim’s plea for justice and safety resonates as a cautionary call to address the root causes of such behavior and seek rehabilitation to prevent future harm.
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