by Julia Roberts

A thug who told his mother it was "time to die" as he brutally attacked her is facing a long spell behind bars.

Joseph O'Reilly used his mother, Catherine, as a human punch bag during the assault in her Dover home in September last year.

She was repeatedly punched to her face, head and body before O'Reilly, 27, grabbed her around the throat with both hands. Maidstone Crown Court heard he then armed himself with a knife, telling Mrs O'Reilly: "It is time to die."

O'Reilly, described as "growling and snarling", then struck her over the head with the knife handle in a stabbing motion. He also bit her ear and blood was said to be "all over" the kitchen at her flat in London Road.

The attack finally ended when the victim's daughter heard her screaming and Mrs O'Reilly fled to a nearby pub.

O'Reilly, of High Meadow, Edred Road, Dover, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but was convicted by a jury. He had admitted the lesser charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Today he was made subject to an indeterminate sentence for public protection after the judge ruled O'Reilly poses a danger to others.

He must serve a minimum of three years - less 283 days already served while on remand - before being considered for parole.

Judge James O'Mahony said it was a difficult decision but such a sentence was inevitable "given the degree of violence and firm conclusion (of dangerousness) of the probation report."

He added: "You have a serious drink problem and the violence has been channelled towards your mother. But in addition to that your violent tendencies are not restricted to your mother when you are drunk."

The court heard that before attacking his mother, O'Reilly had abused his ex-girlfriend and poured a can of lager over her before throwing the empty can at her.

He also became abusive and aggressive to police when they arrested him.