HORDEN THUG JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON MOTHER AFTER PARANOID RAGE
A drug-impaired violent individual strangled his mother and then pushed her down the stairs in a paranoid fit of rage.On March 10, Kieran Johnston went back to his family home on Roseby Road in Horden, where he lived with his mother and younger brother.
He accused her of "hiding" someone inside the house.
According to the Durham Crown Court hearing, Johnston, in a violent outburst, shattered a mirror and threw a television onto the floor.
He then screamed in his mother’s face and wrapped his arms around her neck in a chokehold.
Prosecutor Jennifer Coxon stated that when Mrs.
Johnston tried to push him away, Johnston pressed his arms around her neck, restricting her breathing for approximately 15 to 20 seconds.
She grabbed a photo frame to defend herself, but Johnston pushed her down the stairs, causing her significant pain and making her fear she might have fractured something.
Following this, Johnston entered the kitchen, took items from the cupboards, and threw them at his mother.
She managed to escape with Johnston’s younger brother and took refuge at a neighbor’s house before seeking medical treatment at the hospital.
Johnston, 24, formerly residing on Roseby Road in Horden, pleaded guilty during his initial court appearance in March to charges of causing actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, and criminal damage.
At the May 21 sentencing hearing, it was revealed that Johnston was subject to an 18-month community order imposed in October for injuring a former partner during an over-the-top “play fight” in June of the previous year.
Mitigation lawyer Michael Forrest explained that Johnston expressed remorse to the Probation Service in his pre-sentence report, stating he was “full of remorse and very upset for harming his mother and causing disruption at home.” Mr.
Forrest told the court: “He is a young man battling mental health issues and neurodiversity.
Since 2024, his condition has worsened significantly.
He has attempted to seek help but made the mistake of self-medicating through substance misuse.
He is very sorry for his actions and genuinely wants help.
He is committed to staying drug-free and improving his mental health.
He describes his time in custody as ‘breaking him’.” Judge Anthony Dunne, after reviewing the probation and mental health reports, addressed Johnston: “On March 10, you returned to your mother’s address, accusing her of hiding someone.
It appears you were experiencing paranoia, searching the property, damaging belongings, and then grabbing your mother in a choke hold and squeezing her neck.
This behavior is extremely dangerous.
You were under the influence of multiple illegal substances and claim not to remember much of what happened.
However, it’s clear you were shocked by what you did during a state of paranoia and heightened alertness.
The report notes your lack of maturity and references childhood trauma, which likely contributed to your paranoia.
The court’s pre-sentence report indicates that, presently, there’s little prospect of rehabilitation within the community.
As a result, you are sentenced to 14 months in prison.
You are also subject to a restraining order banning you from visiting your mother’s home in Horden or any other address she may be living at for the next three years.”
