A MOTHER who encouraged her son to carry out an ‘appalling attack’ on a man during a robbery has been jailed.

Robbie Williams, 19, of Drayton Court, Cwmbran, was also sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday, alongside his mother Kerry Thrupp, 37, of Southville, Cwmbran, who appeared via video link from prison.

The court heard on October 1, 2014, at 7.45pm, both defendants’ entered a ground floor flat on Osborne Road, Pontypool, with Williams carrying a large piece of wood in his hands.

David Pinnell, prosecuting, told the court that Williams hit one of the flat’s occupants in the head. The man crouched down in an attempt to protect himself from further blows.

But he was hit six or seven times which resulted in bruising to his lower left arm, along with red scratch marks higher up, a 3cm cut on the right arm above the elbow, scratches to his face and chest, and a lump to the top of the head.

The other occupant of the flat was pushed by Thrupp and told to ‘stay out of it or you will get it’.

Williams demanded £20 to leave the property without further incidents.

After this was handed over Thrupp demanded the rest of money from a wallet, which was £120. Mr Pinnell said Thrupp threatened the two occupants if they called the police, telling them ‘you will get worse’.

He told the court that Thrupp knew the two occupants of the flat and had been to the property on between 10 to 15 occasions to smoke heroin. He said that at some stage Thrupp owed money to one of the men which she would have to pay before being allowed back to the house.

He told the court that Williams had become angry after reading text messages his mother was receiving from one of the men. The court heard that Thrupp and one of the flat’s occupant had previously had heated discussions.

Both Thrupp and Williams pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing.

Caroline Rees, defending Thrupp, told the court that Thrupp had a severe drug dependency. Owen Williams, defending Williams, said that the 19-year-old had suffered significant neglect as a child and has never had a positive role model.

Judge David Wynn Morgan, said: “The attack was prolonged, it was carried out by you Williams and supported and encouraged by you Thrupp. It caused unprecedented injury and no doubt caused a great deal of fright for your victim.

“Robbie Williams you had a chaotic upbringing something which is the responsibility in part of your co-defendant.”

He added: “Thrupp you have to face the facts that you encouraged and supported your own son in an appalling attack on another human being.”

Williams was sentenced to 36 months detention at a youth offenders’ institute and Thrupp was sentenced to 36 months imprisonment.