A man who assaulted his dementia-suffering mother inside a shop has been jailed for three months.
Prosecutors said Aaron Mitchell struck the 92-year-old woman during an altercation at the convenience store in Belfast.
Mitchell (49) from Canberra Park in Newtownabbey, pleaded guilty to a charge of common assault.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard police were alerted to the incident at a Spar outlet on the Antrim Road on February 23.
“Staff observed (Mitchell) hitting his mother, who is quite elderly, she is 92,” a Crown lawyer submitted.
Mitchell’s legal representative told the court he wanted to express remorse and apologise for his actions.
“He is an only child who lives with his mother, they are dependent on one another,” the solicitor explained.
“Mrs Mitchell suffers from dementia and in her senility can become quite aggressive, he acted out in that context.
“That is an explanation, not an excuse.”
District Judge George Conner was told the victim wants to maintain contact with her son.
Passing sentence, he said: “This is a serious matter… there will be three months (custody).”