A Sunderland man has been jailed for two years for assaulting his elderly parents, leaving his mother with 'horrendous' bruising to her face. David Parkin, 46, of Castlereagh Street, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his mother, common assault on his dad, and breaching a protection from harassment order.
Violent behaviour when on drugs
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Parkin's aggressive and violent behaviour was linked to drug use. His father feared for his safety when Parkin was on drugs, but when not on drugs, he 'could not be a nicer person'. A protection from harassment order was granted in February, but on the same day, the parents allowed him to stay at their home temporarily.
On that day, Parkin's mother returned from a couple of hours out to find him acting aggressively. Smelling of cannabis, he was in the street shouting, swearing, and picking up cigarette butts. His father revoked the permission to stay, but Parkin refused to leave, and police were contacted.
Assault after Spain holiday
In April, the couple went on holiday to Spain and reluctantly let Parkin stay at their home after he 'begged and pleaded'. When they returned on April 30, he was still there and refused to leave. He was found upstairs asleep on the floor after taking drugs. His mother, in her 70s, decided he could stay the night and helped him downstairs.
He fell into a sofa but then got up, called his dad a 'f****** divvy', and began punching him. When his mum intervened, he turned on her, punching her four or five times in the face, leaving her with 'unpleasant' injuries. His dad was found collapsed in the street when police arrived.
Victim impact and sentencing
In a victim impact statement, his father said: "To have to resort to obtaining a protection from harassment order against your own son is heart-breaking. David has left us no option because of his behaviour. His behaviour has impacted on me financially because I have to pay people off who he has been in debt to, to prevent us coming to harm. David's behaviour causes me to fear for my safety. My age makes me vulnerable." He added that he has had counselling to come to terms with the situation.
Recorder Tony Hawks, jailing Parkin, said: "Latterly, you have ruined your life with drugs. I accept that a number of the problems with which you suffer are not of your own making, however that's no consolation to people who are harmed by your anti-social behaviour, particularly when you are drunk or have taken drugs. The victims of all three offences are your elderly parents. I'm told you are ashamed of yourself - well you ought to be. They are entitled to have a life and all this behaviour occurred in their own home. They are obviously highly distressed and upset. You punched your father repeatedly in the face and he was found collapsed in the street when the police arrived. You punched your mother a number of times in the face. I hope you have seen the photographs of the horrendous bruising on her face caused by you. You will be well-advised to get a copy of the photograph and keep it on you in case you think you might do it again in future."
Defence and background
Mairi Clancy, defending, said: "He is disgusted with himself for this offending. There is a different side to him, which is probably why his mother finds it difficult to cut all ties with him." She said his mum had sent him items while he has been in prison and made arrangements to visit him. She added that he has a history of poor mental health and has made attempts on his own life.
