Mother and son jailed after hitting man 160 times

A mother and son who punched, kicked and stamped on a man 160 times after he refused to sell them drugs have both been jailed.

Sarah Mason, 47, and Matthew Pearson, 29, were captured on CCTV attacking Alan Ward, 37, in the stairwell of his flat in Monks Road, Lincoln, on 31 August 2025.

The pair, both of no fixed address, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Pearson also pleaded guilty to three further charges of assaulting emergency workers and one count of criminal damage on the same date.

Pearson was jailed for 10 years and three months, while his mother was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment at Lincoln Crown Court on Monday.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst told both defendants: "You savagely and relentlessly attacked Alan Ward in the corridor where he lived.

"You encouraged each other and between you delivered 160 blows to Mr Ward."

Prosecutor Clive Stockwell KC said Ward, a dealer, refused to sell them the synthetic drug, Mamba, and was subjected to the "savage and sickening" attack when the pair became angry.

"Mason initially appeared to be holding her son back before joining in," Stockwell said.

Both mother and son went on the run and the pair were arrested in Leicester on 5 September following a police appeal.

The victim was found by a neighbour and taken to hospital where he was treated for a bleed on the brain.

During his arrest, Pearson remarked: "Should have sold me that gram of mamba."

He later became violent and assaulted three police officers.

Mason asked police: "Is he dead, is he?"

She then added: "We've done Lincoln a favour."

Both insisted it was Ward's fault for not selling the drug.

Towards the end of his police interview Pearson began crying and asked about Ward, who he described as his friend, the court was told.

In mitigation, Leanne Summers told the judge her client did not have a history of violence and was "utterly ashamed at her behaviour".

She said Mason was not a Mamba user but on this day had limited recollection due to her abuse of alcohol and painkillers.

Pearson, who has 24 previous convictions for assault, was told he must also serve an extended licence period of four years upon his release.

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