Casey Wilkinson in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for assault

A Central Qld man turned on his mum, brutally grabbing the elderly woman by the back of the head, punching her twice and spitting in her face. But he didn’t stop there.

Casey Wilkinson.

A father-of-three who has used methamphetamine since he was 15 years old has brutally assaulted his 68-year-old mother.

Rockhampton Magistrates Court heard Casey Wilkinson, 38, assaulted his mother in Rockhampton on June 5, grabbing her by the back of the head, punching her head twice and spitting in her face.

Wilkinson, who had a 10-page criminal record, also picked up his mother’s medication and threw it on the ground.

Police prosecutor Brendon Selic said Wilkinson was on parole.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client’s relationship with his mother had become estranged after his father died.

Ms Legrady said Wilkinson, who was in custody, was 15 years old when he started using meth.

She said he had stopped using the drug prior to going into custody.

“Once he is released he plans to move away from the Rockhampton area, cutting his ties with people associated with drugs and starting a new life,” she said.

Wilkinson was born in Mackay and grew up in the Rockhampton region.

Wilkinson, who has three children, was receiving a Jobseeker payment prior to going into custody, his lawyer said.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale described Wilkinson’s offending as “disgusting behaviour”.

“It is accepted that if you weren’t using drugs that you might not behave in this manner but this is your mother you are assaulting in this way,” she said.

“I hope you have had time to reflect on that.”

Wilkinson pleaded guilty to assaulting a person over 60.

Ms Beckinsale sentenced Wilkinson to 12 months prison, wholly suspended for 12 months.

A criminal conviction was recorded.