A man has been sentenced to prison for assaulting his 89-year-old father with a hammer following an argument about the untidy state of his room.
Martin Thornley, aged 44, struck his elderly father multiple times on May 31, causing severe injuries including head wounds, a brain bleed, and a breastbone fracture. The altercation occurred after Thornley was instructed to clean up his vodka bottles, prompting him to attack his father with a hammer.
The assault was not discovered until the next day when a neighbor found Mr. Thornley Sr outside with injuries and alerted emergency services. Paramedics noted the extent of the head injuries suffered by the elderly man, confirming that he had been attacked with a hammer.
During a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Thornley was apprehended at his residence, where evidence including bloodstains, clothing, and the hammer used in the assault were recovered. The crime scene exhibited significant blood splatters, smeared walls, and personal items belonging to the victim.
Despite initial confusion, Mr. Thornley Sr recounted being hit multiple times with a hammer, though forensic evidence indicated only a few blows were made with the weapon. Thornley, residing in Warrington, confessed to the attack and cited his autism as a contributing factor, leading to a guilty plea for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The victim’s daughter, Lorraine Bird, expressed her father’s distress and subsequent relocation to a nursing home for continuous care. She highlighted her father’s independence and the profound impact of the incident on his life, emphasizing the emotional turmoil caused by the betrayal by his own son.
It was disclosed in court that this was not the first instance of Thornley assaulting his father, having previously caused him to fall down stairs in a separate incident. Thornley’s defense attorney acknowledged the tragic breakdown of their relationship and the profound loneliness and remorse Thornley now faces in prison.
Thornley, who struggles with autism and depression, demonstrated remorse throughout legal proceedings. Despite his disabilities influencing his actions, the court sentenced him to four years and eight months in prison, along with a restraining order prohibiting contact with his father.
