Son jailed for five years after beating 84-year-old father for up to an hour

Ian Griffin, 57, attacked his elderly father after a pub drinking session, leaving him covered in blood. Liverpool Crown Court sentenced him to the maximum five years for GBH without intent.

Cheshire man receives maximum sentence for prolonged attack on elderly father

A 57-year-old man has been jailed for five years after carrying out a sustained assault on his 84-year-old father following a drinking session at a local pub, the Daily Express reports.

Police officers arrived at the elderly man's home on the evening of 1 May last year to find him sitting in a chair covered in blood. The victim told officers that his son, Ian Griffin, had been attacking him for between 30 minutes and an hour. Cheshire Police noted that the father appeared visibly terrified but relieved to see the arriving officers.

Griffin initially claimed his parents had been fighting one another, but officers observed that his own hands were bloodied and the living room had sustained considerable damage.

He was arrested at the scene and taken into custody. His father was transported to hospital to be treated for multiple injuries.

Griffin, of Cheshire, pleaded guilty to wounding without intent and criminal damage. On 14 September, Liverpool Crown Court sentenced him to five years in prison — the maximum available for GBH without intent — along with an extended year on licence and restraining orders.

DC Alex Clephan said: "Following a drinking session at a local pub, Griffin flew into a rage and carried out a brutal and prolonged attack on his elderly father. His actions caused significant physical and emotional harm to those closest to him."

Clephan added that restraining orders had been put in place to protect Griffin's parents from any further harm.

Under sentencing guidelines, GBH with intent carries a maximum of life imprisonment, while the same offence committed without intent carries a maximum of five years. Courts may impose longer terms where culpability is judged to be higher — for instance, when the victim is considered vulnerable. In this case, Griffin received the maximum available for the lesser charge.

Source: Daily Express