DEVOTED mother Irene Thorpe proudly shows the smiling picture of her son Christopher – but the boy's angelic face masks the violence of the man he was to become.

DEVOTED mother Irene Thorpe proudly shows the smiling picture of her son Christopher – but the boy's angelic face masks the violence of the man he was to become.

Loner Christopher, now aged 35, is serving 30 months in prison after beating up his mother and father throughout his adult life.

The frail 68-year-old's latest battering was so horrific, neighbours say she came close to death.

She sustained injuries to her nose, face, bruising to her leg, chest and back and was beaten so badly her spleen swelled.

But remarkably, despite the torrent of abuse, the pensioner can only talk lovingly about him as she speaks exclusively to The Evening Star, and clutches Christopher's letters sent from prison, signed "your loving son".

FULL STORY LATER, AND IN TONIGHT'S EVENING STAR