A man attacked his mother on Christmas Eve after she complained about his singing, a court heard.

Anthony Watt grabbed her by the throat and threatened to kill her.

Watt, 32, admitted assaulting his mother at her home in Poynings Drive, Hove, when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates Court.

A charge of making threats to kill, which he had previously denied, was dismissed.

District Judge Ann Arnold made a hospital order for Watt to be detained at Ashen Hill Mental Hospital, in Hellingly.

He will be released back into the community when doctors decide.

Samantha Williams, prosecuting, said Watt's mother was woken at 4.45am by his very loud singing.

Watt, who had been drinking, apologised but later he started singing again.

At 7.30am she could no longer stand the sound anymore and rang the police.

Officers advised Watt about his behaviour and left.

Ms Williams said immediately afterwards Watt complained about his mother phoning the police and he became violent when she started to pour away cans of beer in his bedroom.

He became aggressive and seized her by the throat and threatened to kill her. Relatives rushed to help her and she escaped any lasting injuries.

The court heard Watt was arrested by police and has been held in custody since, which is the equivalent of serving an eight month jail sentence.

In January he was transferred from prison to Ashen Hill.

Kirsty Craghill, defending, said Watt had a history of psychiatric illness and if he was released by the court immediately there was nowhere for him to go and no opportunity for him to receive further help.

She said: "He wants to continue with the treatment he has been receiving at Ashen Hill. They hope to rehabilitate him into the community as soon as possible."