Ex-soldier John Butler jailed for assaulting his mother in the bath

Former soldier, 36, who held his mother’s head under the water in her bath when she didn’t go shopping for him is jailed for three years

• Former soldier John Butler 36, attacked his mother Theresa while in the bath
• Butler, who joined the army at 16, wanted his mother to go to the shops for him
• Butler, of Mostyn, North Wales, was jailed for three years at Mold Crown Court

A cruel son held his mother’s head under the water in her own bath for up to 20 seconds in a terrifying naked attack.

Former soldier John Butler, 36, was jailed after smashing his way into the bathroom to attack his asthmatic mother in a row.

Mold Crown Court heard Butler was outraged when his mother Theresa went for a bath instead of going to the shops for him. 

She had only been in the bath for one minute when Butler crashed through the bathroom door and told her: ‘Get out of that bath and get to the shop.’

Former soldier John Butler, 36, from Mostyn, North Wales, was jailed after smashing his way into the bathroom to attack his asthmatic mother in a row

Mold Crown Court heard Butler had completed three tours of Iraq but suffered PTSD during his time on deployment

Prosecutor Frances Wilmott said: ‘He grabbed the back of his mother’s neck and forced her head under the water, holding her there for what she described as 10 to 20 seconds.

‘The water went down her nose and throat, and when he did let go she was choking and gasping for air.’

Butler, of Mostyn, North Wales, was found guilty of assaulting Teresa Butler and damaging a door.

Ms Butler tried to turn her phone on to call for help but her son returned holding a large knife.

‘Will you get out of that bath?’ he asked – taking hold of her by the wrist and dragging her out, causing her to fall into a unit which fell and left smashed glass on the floor.

When a phone rang downstairs, he went to answer it, giving the victim chance to lock herself into her bedroom.

But he kicked the door, shattering it, and left the house.

The following day, Butler called his mother 56 times from a withheld number, saying it was ‘her fault.’

He told her: ‘This is the final nail in your coffin,’ making 48 calls to her the following day.

Ms Butler didn’t want to go to the police – but other family members reported it.

In a victim personal statement, Ms Butler said the defendant had known she had a heart complaint and was asthmatic.

Despite the offences, the victim said she ‘loves John unconditionally,’ adding: ‘A mother’s love will never end.’

Robin Boag, defending, told the court Butler went into the army at 16 and left when he was 24, in 2010.

During that time he completed three tours of duty in Iraq and had ‘witnessed things there that had a lasting impression on him,’ leading to post traumatic stress disorder.

Mr Boag conceded: ‘It was an extremely unpleasant, nasty attack on his mother.’

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: ‘She was naked in the bath when you came crashing through the door.

‘You grabbed her neck and held her underwater.

‘You knew she was asthmatic and had a heart complaint. She was terrified.

‘She has been extremely unwilling to go to the police – clearly she is a loving mother who just wants what is best for you.

‘But your attack has affected her significantly.’

The judge took into account his Army service and PTSD but jailed him for three years.

A three year restraining order was put in place to protect Butler’s mother, who can – if she chooses – apply to the court to have it end early.

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