Man who subjected mother to attack and abuse is jailed

Mateusz Kotlarz also damaged belongings at her home in Belfast during a campaign of abuse she claimed to have endured for a year.

The 24-year-old defendant showed no remorse to police despite accepting he had sent his mother menacing text messages over her plans to move house, a judge was told.

Kotlarz, a Polish national of Rosebery Road in Belfast, admitted common assault, criminal damage, threats to kill and threats to damage property.

Prosecutors said his mother informed police last September that he had subjected her to threatening, abusive behaviour.

She claimed he had grabbed her by her top and pinned her to a wall after learning of the plans to move.

At one stage he held his mother by the throat, leaving her terrified of what he would do, the court heard.

“The injured party also told police she had received text messages from the defendant, one of which said he would burn the house down,” a prosecution lawyer added.

Kotlarz also damaged two TV sets, his mother’s glasses, as well as a laptop computer and mobile phone belonging to her.

The defendant, who is also facing extradition proceedings, was said to be suffering deteriorating mental health.

His barrister, Richard McConkey, told District Judge Fiona Bagnall: “He is completely paranoid concerning what will happen to him when he goes back to Poland.”

Mrs Bagnall decided to sentence Kotlarz to four months in prison, having been told he has already spent that period on remand in custody.

She said: “That allows him to be extradited when matters take their course.”