Richmond man jailed for stabbing father

Press, 10 July 1985, Page 4

Richmond man jailed for stabbing father

Nelson reporter A man who admitted stabbing his father several times during a domestic Sute at Richmond was id for three months by judge Seeman in the District Court at Nelson yesterday. . The son, who with other members of the family had his name suppressed, originally appeared for sentence last week. The Judge said then that he was so concerned about matters in the police summary of facts and in the probation report — matters which suggested extreme provocation from the father, who was also said to have then stabbed the son — that he would delay sentence for a week so that the father could be present to. answer, if he wished, the allegations. At yesterday’s hearing the father, represented by Miss P. M. Shoemack, was present in court. He declined to give evidence but through : counsel offered a submission. When the defendant first appeared three weeks ago the Court was told that a domestic dispute, aggravated by alcohol, had developed from an argument into a fight in which the son stabbed the father. In the police summary of facts the father told the son to leave the house and when the son

went to pack his bag the father followed him into Hie room, took an aggressive attitude, and made kung fu gestures at the son. The son picked up a knife he used for work and stabbed the father a number of times. The wounds required more than 100 stitches. In the kitchen the father was said to have wrested the knife from the son and stabbed him in the leg, cutting an artery. Both men were in hospital for treatment The Judge said yesterday that the information he had indicated the family had a long and serious history of alcohol abuse, particularly the father, and this had had a very serious effect on the family, particularly the mother. “What concerns me is that the family has been under the notice of the Social Welfare Department and other agencies for some years for this alcohol abuse,” said the Judge. “One of your youngsters is alleged to have died from alcohol poisoning. I tell you this because I feel it appropriate you know what was said,” said the Judge, addressing the father, who was standing at the back of the court. When Miss Shoemack indicated that the father wished to make a submission through her, Mr A. E. Webber, for the defendant, objected and said the Court had no jurisdiction to sum-

mon the father to court, nor to compel him to give evidence. The Judge said he wanted to ensure that the complainant knew the matters.. raised in the summary and to ascertain if he accepted them. Nobody could tell him (the Judge) this when the defendant appeared last, week, he said. It would be ; unjust to allow allegations to be made against Hie complainant without his being given the opportunity to reply to them. • Miss Shoemack said the only part of the summary , the complainant questioned was the part about his wresting the knife from the , son in the kitchen and then stabbing him with it In the kitchen the father went on the floor, he kicked out at the knife, and while the son was holding the knife the knife entered the son’s leg. Sergeant P. D. Grooby then said that as a result of an inquiry raised by the Judge last week he had to report that the father would not be charged with any offence. In sentencing the defendant, the Judge conceded there was great provocation. However, violence of such a kind could not be tolerated, whatever the circumstances. In the frenzy of the battle between the two it was only a matter of chance that death had not ensued, he said. The defendant was also put on a year’s probation.