URGENT UPDATE: A Newcastle woman, Caroline Aggas, has been sentenced after a shocking attack on her vulnerable mother left the victim bruised and terrified in her own home. This disturbing incident occurred on September 19, 2023, following a prolonged drinking binge.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Aggas, aged 41, assaulted her mother by punching, kicking, and nipping her, even throwing water over her during the violent outburst. The assault escalated when Aggas disposed of the victim’s medication out of a window, exacerbating the mother’s already challenging mobility issues.
Prosecutor Jennifer Coxon revealed that authorities were alerted by a speech and language therapist who witnessed the aftermath of the attack. Police arrived to find the mother visibly shaken, stating, “I was genuinely petrified,” and reported ongoing struggles with sleep since the incident. The victim spent over a week in the hospital recovering from her injuries.
During the altercation, Aggas also damaged property, including kicking a television screen, which resulted in a crack. Despite the severity of the situation, she pleaded guilty to the assault but claimed not to have intentionally used a knife that caused a minor cut to her mother’s chest.
Recorder Rebecca Brown sentenced Aggas to a 13-month suspended sentence for 18 months, along with a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and a restraining order. Brown emphasized the breach of trust inherent in family relationships, stating, “It represents a violation of the trust and security that usually exists in a family relationship.”
Defense attorney Jordan Parkinson noted that Aggas had not contacted her mother since the incident and expressed remorse for her actions, attributing her behavior to the influence of drugs and alcohol. Parkinson revealed that Aggas has been using substances as a coping mechanism for unresolved mental health issues.
As the community grapples with this alarming case, Aggas’s family dynamics and the impact of substance abuse highlight pressing societal challenges. The court’s ruling aims not only to address the crime but also to encourage Aggas towards recovery for the sake of her future and her relationship with her family.
What Happens Next: Aggas will be monitored closely during her rehabilitation period, and the court has mandated that she remain distanced from her mother. This case raises urgent questions about family safety and the repercussions of substance abuse in vulnerable populations.
