Yahoo News 'Do you want to kill my dad for £5k?' Son punched father to death after sick Facebook offer
A son who previously offered £5,000 on Facebook for someone to kill his dad has been found guilty of his murder after punching him to death.
Austin Duckworth breached his bail conditions by attending the home of his father Stephen Duckworth in Preston on August 26 last year and forcing his way in.
Once inside, Austin, 37, repeatedly punched 72 year-old Stephen in the head. He told him that he 'better call an ambulance' as he walked away.
After dialling 999 and telling police what happened, Stephen initially declined medical attention. But he felt increasingly unwell as the day progressed, resulting in him calling for an ambulance later that same evening.
He was taken to hospital where it was discovered that he had a 'devastating bleed to the brain'. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, Stephen died from his injuries on October 12, 2023, Lancs Live report.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of Stephen's death was blunt force head trauma. After a five-day trial at Preston Crown Court, Austin Duckworth, of no fixed address, was today (Friday, April 12) found guilty of murder.
Speaking following the veridct, Det Ch Insp Jill Riley, from Lancashire Police's Force Major Investigation Team, said: "This is a tragic case involving the death of a 72-year-old man, in his own home, at the hands of his son.
"Austin Duckworth set about punching his elderly father to the head and face and continued to do so as he fell to his knees and sought to protect himself from the blows with his arms.
"This was a callous and violent attack and one which left Stephen with non-survivable injuries. This is a very rare case where a murder victim was able to provide an account of the attack to the police, which was played to the jury during this trial."
"This was extremely upsetting for members of Stephen's family who were present in court, and I must thank them for the way in which they conducted themselves throughout the trial and for the support that they have given to this investigation. I am pleased that justice has been served today and hope this goes in some way to providing comfort to Stephen's family."
In August 2023, Duckworth was banned from going near the home after being arrested on suspicion of assault in May. However the court heard that on August 26, he went to the house and asked for a pair of walking boots which he said were either in the bedroom or under the stairs. Mr Duckworth Snr put the door on the latch and went to look for them.
A jury was told that when he said he could not find them, Duckworth kicked the door, breaking the latch, and rained around 10 blows to his father's head, neck and hands. He then walked calmly off towards Preston North End football ground, the jury heard.
'Anyone want to sort my dad out?'
Stephen Duckworth had reported a number of incidents to the police, including a time when he had been put in a headlock, thrown to the ground and 'almost strangled' by the younger man. Neighbours had also reported Duckworth shouting and making threats towards his father.
After one incident, Mr Duckworth told officers: "These issues between me and my son are getting worse and I won't stand for him assaulting me."
"These incidents continued with increasing regularity", Ms Shenton said. "The defendant was regularly spoken to by the police and asked to leave the address."
On August 8, 2023, Mr Duckworth said he was scared after his son posted on Facebook, offering £5,000 "for anyone willing to kill my father". Ms Shenton said his messages were "aggressive and bizarre" and that Austin wanted his father out of the house as it was to be left to him in the will.
In a post on August 7, he wrote: "Anyone want to sort my dad out? 5k. I'd stick him on a farm where he could be fed and help raise the hens or bury him dead. Your choice.
My number is on my timeline. He lives St George's Road Preston. Need to get the keys and will have to pay cash every day till you're paid off. Might be a bank transfer, not sure." He also sent a message to someone saved as 'Liam' in his phone, saying: "Do you want to kill my dad for £5k?" Austin Duckworth will be sentenced at the same court on April 16.
