A DRUNK split his mum’s head open after she threw a drink at him, a court heard. 

Michael Merchant was sent to prison for two years after he admitted GBH, breaching a restraining order banning him from contacting his mum and threatening to cause criminal damage.

Sentencing the 45-year-old, Judge Peter Crabtree told Merchant he’d attacked his mum in her own home, where she should have been safe. 

“She was your mother and you should have treated her with respect,” he added. 

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Michael Merchant's custody shot Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Earlier, Swindon Crown Court heard Merchant had gone round his mum’s home in Exeter Street, in the Railway Village, on September 11 last year. 

The pair, who have had a difficult relationship in the past, were drinking – with Merchant supping cider. Prosecutor Lucie Stoker said matters between the two had deteriorated to the point where he was asked to leave by his mother. 

He refused, prompting his mum to throw her drink at him. In retaliation he walked over and rained blows on her, leaving her with a nasty cut to the head and injuries to her hand and shoulder.

A concerned neighbour called police when they heard screams. When officers arrived at the house they found Merchant’s mum covered with blood down one side. Her cut was later stitched.

When police caught up with Merchant, he told officers he’d given his mum a “good hiding”.

He was released on bail. Not withstanding that and a restraining order that prohibited him from going to his mum’s house, he went to her home on January 30, 2021. 

His mum, who missed her son, let him into the house. She later went to bed and was woken in the early hours the next morning by police, who told her a window had been broken. 

Ms Stoker said it transpired that Merchant had broken the window, although no charges had been brought. 

A month later, on February 7, he was back at the house. He asked to borrow money from his mum, who initially let him into her home. Things became strained again and he threatened to smash the windows. 

In a victim statement made after the September attack, Merchant’s mother said the incident had left her living a life she did not want to live. She feared he would kill her.

Richard Williams, mitigating, said his client had suffered from significant mental health issues and had perhaps self-medicated with alcohol. 

The advocate told the judge: “This is a man who has lived a very isolated lifestyle for many years and one of the few relationships he does have is with his mother.”

He had previously worked well with the probation service and complied with previous orders. He had settled council accommodation but did not work. He might lose his home if he were sent to prison. 

Merchant, of Harrington Walk, Walcot, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, breaching a restraining order and threatening to cause criminal damage.

Sentencing Merchant to two years’ imprisonment, Judge Crabtree noted it was within the range that could be suspended. 

But he said the assault in September had been a serious and sustained assault on his mother in her own home, which left her with serious injuries and fearing what her son might do next. “In my view only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.” 

The defendant was made subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting his mum.