Son threatened mum, fleecing her out of £13,500

A man “almost bled his mother dry” after making demands for money and told her she would have drug dealers “kicking her doors in” if she didn’t hand cash over.

Paul Roberts, 26, made threats against his brother and stepfather to scare mum Sandra Roberts, 56, into giving him money, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Jones told the court Roberts had fleeced his mum of around £13,500.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said Ms Roberts “described as living in constant fear” for the safety of Roberts’ brother and stepfather. He told Roberts he had no doubt “you have broken your mother’s heart”.

Prosecuting, Mr Jones said: “His mother Sandra Roberts says he had been emotionally persuading her to give him money.

“She felt trapped because of his threats and demands. She kept it from the rest of the family.

“The family took out a form of private restraining order against him.”

But the court heard that on October 17 Roberts went to his mother’s home in Rumney, Cardiff, and asked for £600 or he was going to “smash the house up.”

The son, who is a foot taller than his mother, also threatened to “blow up” his stepdad’s van, “take his eye out” with a key and beat up his older brother.

Roberts, of Rumney, Cardiff, admitted harassment and was sentenced to 19 months in prison.

He was handed a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting his mother, stepdad and brother.

Judge Stephen Hopkins QC said: “You almost bled your mother dry having demanded from her, on a regular basis, money.

“She felt sickened at having to report you to the police but she was at the end of her tether.

“She described as living in constant fear for the safety of your brother and your stepfather.

“I consider you to be a self-pitying and unpleasant man who thinks only of himself.

“I have no doubt that because of your behaviour as her son, you have broken your mother’s heart.”