Drug user left elderly dad, 82, fearing for his life as he held carving knife to his neck

A drug user left his elderly 82-year-old dad as he launched two and held a carving knife to his neck, a court heard. Matthew Haywood, 45, was living with his dad on July 26, last year when he when he had an argument on the phone with his partner.

His dad told him he was fed-up of listening to their dispute and asked for the phone back. The defendant, who complied, believed a message had been received and wanted it back. Haywood proceeded to press his arm into the pensioner's neck and applied pressure to get the phone back. He then held a carving knife to his dad's head and pushed the handle into his stomach.

Prosecutor Matthew Ness said: "The defendant pushed his dad down, pushed his right elbow into his right cheek and pressed his arm into his neck applying some pressure. He could still breathe but he was very frightened. There was a tussle. The dad's arm was scratched. The defendant snatched the phone and broke away, reported.

"His dad ran to the back door to exit the house. He was scared and frightened of what the defendant would do next. The defendant caught up with him and held a carving knife to his head. He put the blade to his father's face in a threatening manner.

"His dad shouted for help. The defendant used the handle of the knife to stab into his stomach but no injuries were caused. The defendant dropped the knife and punched his father in the face eight times.

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He described them as really hard. He was scared. He thought he was going to be killed. They fell into the garden during the scuffle and neighbours intervened."

The victim was taken to hospital to be checked out. On November 17, Haywood went to his dad's house. As soon as the pensioner opened the door the defendant walked straight past him and into his bedroom, taking a black wallet. The defendant pushed past his father, causing a deep purple bruise to his arm.

Mr Ness said: "The defendant got into his father's car. He got out, approached his father and said, 'Give me the keys'. He repeatedly punched him, causing cuts and bruises to his face and arms. His father, who was left with a black eye and a cut to his nose, threw the keys in a neighbour's garden.

"A neighbour tried to distract the defendant. The defendant said, 'I will hit you, stay back'. He formed the view the defendant was intoxicated and possibly on drugs."

About four months later he went to his dad's address and stole a wallet and tried to steal his car. He again repeatedly punched his dad leaving him with bruises. Haywood, of no fixed address, has been jailed for 28 months. He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said despite the two incidents the victim is prepared to give the defendant another chance. He said Haywood had a problem with drugs when he was younger but dealt with his addiction and remained offence-free for about 23 years. During that period he held down good jobs and had a good relationship with his father.

He said Haywood had spent five-and-a-half months on remand and has trusted status in prison. Mr Cliff added: "When he is released he is very anxious not to return to the misery and shame of drug addiction. When he is off drugs he can lead a productive life."

Judge Graeme Smith said it was a "sad case". He said: "Your father, who surprisingly continues to want a relationship with you despite all of this, ended up on the receiving end of your violence on two separate occasions last year.

"You were under the influence of substances on these occasions. You were clearly trying to prioritise your own needs and took out your frustrations on your father when he did not go along with this. You tried to hit him with his walking stick. Both were persistent assaults which had a number of phases. You assaulted him with fists and with a weapon."