NORWICH - A mother and son recently pleaded guilty to a violent burglary in Chenango County Court, accepting plea deals that will send both to prison for several years.

“His face [victim’s] was an absolute beat-up mess. The severity of the attack can’t be underestimated,” Assistant District Attorney Christopher A. Curley told the court Friday.

Curley said the victim was attacked and “cold-cocked” as soon as he opened the door to his residence. He said the defendants deserved every day of their sentence.

Phyllis A. Wheeler, a former corrections officer, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and accepted a sentence of three and a half years in prison and five years post release supervision.

Her adult son, Brendan Wheeler, a co-defendant in the case, previously pleaded guilty to first degree burglary for his role in the attack, said Curley. He has not been sentenced yet, but his plea arrangement agreed to a five-year sentence and five years post release supervision.

Prosecutors said the two attacked the victim in his doorway and beat him inside the home. They said Brendan Wheeler attacked the victim with closed fists and a broom handle as his mother “egged him on” and also struck the victim, said Curley. The victim was able to get up and flee the home, explained the ADA. The two defendants then proceeded to destroy property at the house including smashing a vehicle and the building windows, a TV, and other damage totaling about $12,000.