Andrew Roberts wiped away tears in Liverpool Crown Court as he admitted stabbing his father, David Roberts, but continues to deny attempting to murder him. The 37-year-old defendant, originally charged with attempted murder, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of wounding with intent against his 56-year-old father.
Incident Details
The stabbing occurred in December last year at the victim's home on Big Meadow Road in Woodchurch, Wirral. The court heard that the pair had been watching a film together when the defendant allegedly kissed his father on the head and said: "This is the last time you ever get a kiss off me."
Prosecutor Gerry Baxter told the court that Andrew Roberts had been drinking heavily the previous evening but apologized the next morning. After cleaning the kitchen, they settled to watch a film. When the defendant stood up, his father assumed he was going to the toilet. Instead, Roberts punched him repeatedly to the back of the head and face, and stabbed him in the chest.
Injuries and Aftermath
David Roberts suffered a 4cm stab wound to the right side of his chest and a laceration to his left hand. He called 999 and was taken to Aintree Hospital. A knife blade smeared with his blood was found on the lounge floor. The defendant fled the scene but was later arrested near a pub in Upton, with a small cut on his neck and dried blood on his hands.
Defense and Evidence
Defense counsel Brendan Carville requested the rearraignment on the lesser charge. Judge Simon Medland KC informed the jury that the defendant now accepts stabbing his father and intending to cause serious harm, but the prosecution maintains he intended to kill. The trial continues.
Text messages from Roberts' phone revealed threats to kill his father, including messages such as "I'm going to kill Dave" and "I'm going to stab him." The defendant had previously claimed self-defense, alleging his father was drunk and aggressive, but has now changed his plea.
