FELIXSTOWE: AN alcoholic Gulf War veteran is under a supervision order today after smothering his mother with a pillow during a violent attack.Jonathan Speller wept during his sentencing for the assault on his 59-year-old mum, which left her with carpet burns, bruising and a bloodshot left eye.

FELIXSTOWE: AN alcoholic Gulf War veteran is under a supervision order today after smothering his mother with a pillow during a violent attack.

Jonathan Speller wept during his sentencing for the assault on his 59-year-old mum, which left her with carpet burns, bruising and a bloodshot left eye.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Speller, 27, of Melford Way, Felixstowe, pleaded guilty to common assault at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Godfried Duah said on June 2 Speller returned in a drunken state to the family home in Walton Court in Felixstowe's High Street.

He became abusive to his mother Jennifer and police were called to escort Speller from the premises.

His mother left for work the next day around 7.30am. She noticed Speller's rucksack against the wall near the door of her flat. While at work she confided to a friend that she was frightened to return home.

When she got to her flat around 1.30pm Speller was waiting outside. He was drunk and claimed he wanted to get some of his belongings from the flat. His mother allowed him inside, but Speller fell asleep on the sofa for three hours.

The court was told when he awoke an argument erupted which turned violent when Mrs Speller said she was going to call the police.

Mr Duah said Speller grabbed his mum, tearing her clothing. She ran to the front door, but Speller pushed her to the floor before dragging her to the lounge by her feet.

In the struggle Speller got a pillow and put it over his mum's face in an attempt to smother her. She was struggling to breathe, but managed to get away before running to a neighbour's house.

Mr Duah said Mrs Speller said “she is petrified of her son”.

The court was told Speller has previous convictions, mainly for assaults on police officers.

Neil Macauley, mitigating, said his client claimed both he and his mother were drunk at the time of the attack.

Judge Peter Thompson sentenced him to 12-months supervision and 80 hours unpaid work. He also made a 12-month exclusion order preventing Speller from contacting his mother or going to Walton Court.