A man who attacked his cancer-stricken mother so severely that she was left 'almost unrecognisable' has been jailed. Benjamin Joyner, 38, went on a drunken rampage, leaving his mother with significant bruising, cuts and a fractured rib, Exeter Crown Court heard.
The victim was forced to escape the violence by running to a neighbour, who said she was 'almost unrecognisable' due to the ferocity of the beating. Joyner said he blacked out after downing vodka and Vimto cocktails and could not remember anything during the incident in November 2025.
Attack after argument with brother
Joyner, of Hoyles Road, Paignton, admitted one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and pleaded guilty to an unrelated offence of GBH against a man. He has a number of previous convictions for violence.
The court was told Joyner had been watching TV at home with his brother before the pair argued and his brother left. When his mum asked him what had happened, he flipped and attacked her.
Victim fled to neighbour
She was left with bruising to her cheek, neck, arm and hand, as well as the fractured rib. She fled to a neighbour and called 999. She told the neighbour she 'could not believe' her son had attacked her, said prosecutor Laura D'Alessandro.
Police arrested Joyner after subduing him with spray. The court heard his 56-year-old mum had cancer at the time. Bathsheba Cassel, defending, said the victim's skin may have torn more easily due to her condition.
Unrelated GBH offence
The offence was committed while Joyner was on bail for the GBH. In the early hours of April 14, 2025, Joyner brutally beat a man at a house in Paignton. The court was told four people had been drinking and smoking cannabis. Joyner repeatedly punched and kicked the man.
Two other defendants, Elise Stevens, 37, of Foxhole Road, and Carl Barton, 34, of Hoyles Road, were convicted for their lesser part in the assault on the man. Stevens admitted battery and was given a 12-month conditional discharge. Barton admitted GBH and was given a community order for 18 months.
Joyner has PTSD and thinks he has ADHD. His mum said she wants him to get help for his mental health so he can get his life back on track. He was jailed for three years for both offences.
