Yahoo News Wallsend dad put in wardrobe and stamped on by son who threatened to kill him
A son who harboured a grudge against his dad subjected him to a shocking attack during which he put him into a wardrobe and stamped on him.
A court heard Steven Morgan and his father had a "volatile" relationship and did not get on following childhood issues surrounding domestic abuse. Having spiralled into drinking to excess following the death of his grandmother, on January 13 this year Morgan decided to travel some distance to attack his dad at his home in Wallsend in the early hours.
Having smashed the car window of a neighbour on his way, he forced his way into his father's home while he was asleep, dragging him out of bed, kicking, stamping and punching him and putting him in a wardrobe while threatening to kill him.
Jailing him at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins said: "You roused him, roughly, before assaulting him, punching and kicking him and putting him into the wardrobe and smashing the wardrobe, using your foot as a weapon to stamp on him on his head and chest as well as taking a clothes rail to hit him - that's what caused the nasty wound to the back of his head.
"All the while, you were threatening to kill him and demanding to know where the knives were. Fortunately you came to your senses and stopped the attack after 10 to 15 minutes of what was a prolonged assault.
"By then you had left your father terrified he was going to be killed." The victim was left with wounds to his head and eye, a fractured rib and swelling and abrasions all over his body.
Morgan, 40, of Hollin Hill Road, Concord, Washington, who has 16 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, threats to kill and criminal damage. He was jailed for 20 months.
His dad said in a victim impact statement: "I honestly believed he was going to kill me. I live alone and I'm vulnerable.
"The fact he broke in at night is cowardly. I just don't know why he has done this. If he hates me this much he should just stay away from me."
Matthew Purves, defending, said: "What appears to have been the catalyst for this particular offending is not something directed towards the defendant but more some communication with his younger daughter which was upsetting. That sparked this episode."
