Son jailed after attempting to kill his mother in knife attack in Newthorpe
A man has been jailed after violently attacking his 81-year-old mother and slashing her throat.
Lee Bates, 52, was heavily intoxicated when he attacked the 81-year-old victim at their home in Mill Road, Newthorpe, on June 6, 2025.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Bates pushed the elderly victim to the floor before stamping on her neck and causing her to lose consciousness.
Bates himself called 999 and emergency services arrived to find the victim in a hallway with a slash wound to her throat and a crushed trachea.
As paramedics treated the woman – who adopted Bates in the 1970s following the death of his birth mother – armed police removed Bates from the address and arrested him.
He answered no comment throughout two police interviews but was charged with attempted murder after ambulance staff witnessed him washing a bloodied knife in a kitchen sink moments before his arrest.
Bates pleaded guilty on October 2, 2025, and appearing for his sentence at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday, January 23, he was jailed for 19 years and eight months.
Detective Inspector James Oakton, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an appalling and sustained attack that left an elderly woman with truly terrible injuries.
“Had it not been for the bravery and resilience of the ambulance crew and attending response who provided lifesaving care to the victim, her injuries could have been fatal.
“I am therefore pleased to learn the ambulance crew will receive a High Sheriff’s Award recognising their bravery and life saving intervention.
“The attack left the victim in hospital for three weeks and she continues to endure pain and discomfort.
“In addition to the physical pain, she has been left heartbroken that Bates could subject her to such a vicious attack, despite having adopted him when his birth mother died.
“Unsurprisingly this incident has had a very profound impact on the victim so I hope she can draw some comfort from this sentence.
“Bates is a dangerous and violent man and I am pleased he will now spend a very considerable amount of time behind bars.
“I’d also like to pay special thanks to the investigating officer DC Jack Reasbeck and CID investigation team at Worksop who worked tirelessly delivering a comprehensive and detailed investigation while supporting the victim through this difficult time.”