A 33-year-old man was sentenced by the court in Tarbes for hitting his mother, with whom he was staying. She simply asked him to stop shouting while playing video games.
“We almost feel like we’re judging an adolescent who is breaking the rules of the house,” the prosecutor immediately set the scene: a deteriorated mother-son relationship where violence eventually took over. Before the criminal court in Tarbes, a 33-year-old man from Tarbes, who was appearing freely, had to explain how he came to hit his own mother.
Having a history with the justice system, particularly for drug and violence cases, the man had just finished a year of incarceration when he went to live back with his mother due to lack of alternatives. This living situation deteriorated over the weeks. “On the night of the incident, you were playing a video game and shouting loudly while uttering insults. Your mother then intervened to ask you to lower your tone, especially not to disturb the neighbors,” summarized the judge.
A reprimand that caused the man, heavily intoxicated, to snap. “Your mother says you first shoved her, then hit her. You told her you were going to beat her up after punching her, or even digging your fingers into her eyes. It’s chilling, sir,” said the magistrate.
The police were alerted after the mother managed to flee to a neighbor’s house with a bleeding lip and a swollen face, indicating to the officers that she did not want to press further charges against her son.
During his defense at the bar, the defendant sought to assure his defense alone. Far from downplaying, he tried to explain his actions by alluding to a more distant context. “I don’t want to disparage my mother here, but what happened in my childhood resurfaced when I went back to live with her.”
A clearly painful past, but according to the presiding judge, it in no way justifies his violent behavior. “It’s clear that there’s a dispute between you and your mother, but that should be resolved with a therapist, certainly not with violence.”
Described as a former drug addict, currently dependent on alcohol, the man indicated that the relationship had improved since he found an apartment. But a few moments later, he struggled to contain his anger when his mother approached the stand to testify.
“He hasn’t changed. He still drinks and misses his appointments. I even consider guardianship.” These words angered the defendant. “And you, what did you do to me when I was little?” he yelled before temporarily leaving the courtroom.
“The pain is palpable between the two,” lamented the prosecutor, while emphasizing the unacceptable behavior. “Madam did not seek to blame her son, but he committed serious violence against her.” The magistrate requested a twelve-month prison sentence, entirely suspended with probation.
These requests were followed by the court. The man will have to work, undergo addiction treatment, and receive psychological support. A decision welcomed with relief by the mother. “He’s my son, I adore him. But he needs to get treatment,” she concluded.
