Drug-addicted lorry driver jailed after threatening to taser mother in Halesowen

Richard Swift shouted "Don't make me taser you" when he produced the prohibited weapon which had been disguised to look like a torch.

Walter Bealby, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court Swift's brother James called police to the Cobham Road family home and officers saw there was total disorder in various rooms on arrival.

He said 25-year-old Swift, who was sentenced to five years, had left the property after seizing a bag containing his car keys from around the neck of his mother Gillian who was left with a friction burn.

Mr Bealby said he was later spotted by police and an officer had to drive onto the kerb to avoid being hit by Swift who would not stop his vehicle.

He was eventually brought to a halt after police laid down a stinger device, bursting the tyres on his car.

Swift admitted possessing the prohibited weapon and also common assault and told by Judge John Wait there were no exceptional circumstances to prevent him imposing the minimum five year jail term.

He told Swift it was a "difficult" case because it was clear that for some time he had been addicted to Class A drugs sometimes spending £100 every two or three days to fuel his habit.

Judge Wait said: "It is plain from letters and reports that he comes from a very supportive family and he has been taking steps to put his life back onto the rails.

"However, the taser had been in the hands of a man involved in the use of controlled drugs and he had been in control when he threatened to use the weapon against his mother."

Mr Simon Rippon defending said it was accepted it was a weapon used for self-defence but at the time Swift had been suffering from a depressive illness.

It was a "wholly dreadful" incident, he added, committed against someone who was very dear to him.

He said: "He is a young man who is loved in the arms of those who are concerned for him.

"He made a grave mistake at a time of grave personal upset."