Darlington’s ‘Chop Off’ Jailed for Strangling Mother, Leaving Her Terrified
Shaun ‘Chop Off’ O’Connor has been given a seven-year extended prison sentence at Teesside Crown Court. The 43-year-old was found guilty of trying to inflict grievous bodily harm and intentional strangulation.
Attack on his mother
The assault happened on May 4 last year. Prosecutors say O’Connor flooded his mother’s bathroom and threatened to kill her when she called police.
He allegedly put her in a headlock and wrapped a towel around her head. The frail pensioner later told officers she had to “play dead” to survive the sustained attack.
Police account and arrest
Officers arriving at the scene found the elderly woman locked inside and shouting for help. She told them he had tried to smother her and said she was “about an inch off death”.
O’Connor was arrested and reportedly told officers he had tried to kill his mother. He was said to be covered in blood from self-inflicted wounds.
Charges, plea and court evidence
O’Connor pleaded guilty to attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm, intentional strangulation and two counts of criminal damage. His address was given as HMP Holme House.
Prosecutor Chris Baker outlined the severity of the attack in court. Mitigating counsel Paul Rooney told the judge that O’Connor has a long history of mental illness and had been sectioned several times.
Mental health and mitigation
Defence submissions said psychiatric reports showed improvement while on remand. The reports also concluded he did not require a hospital order.
Mr Rooney told the court that O’Connor was affected by mental disorder at the time of the assault. He denied any sexual intent in the separate school incident and offered apologies.
Sentence and restrictions
Judge Peter Armstrong branded O’Connor a dangerous offender. He imposed an extended sentence of seven years.
The sentence comprises four years in custody followed by three years on extended licence. An indefinite restraining order was also granted to protect the victim.
School incident and breach
O’Connor also admitted breaching a criminal behaviour order. He had been seen talking to children through a fence at Stephenson Way Primary School in Newton Aycliffe on May 2 last year.
One youngster was left in tears. Another child said O’Connor gave them the “heebie-jeebies”.
Previous convictions
In 2023, O’Connor received a two-year prison sentence for a string of sexual and violent offences. Those included sexual assaults on two women, indecent exposure, an assault on an innocent man, and a disturbing act in a police cell.
The case will be covered in Filmogaz.com reports and local crime summaries. The Darlington man nicknamed ‘Chop Off’ was jailed after strangling his mother and leaving her terrified.
