PETER SIMPSON, 68, SENTENCED IN STOCKTON FOR ASSAULTING HIS SON

A 68-year-old pensioner named Peter Simpson was convicted of injuring his adult son in the neck with a kitchen knife during a heated argument. The incident took place inside their home in Stockton's Belle Vue area following a dispute over a bank card. Teesside Crown Court was told that Simpson was struggling to cope with his son's behaviour, who has autism and ADHD, and that he "snapped" that evening.

Police responded to the scene shortly after 4:00 pm on July 29 last year, after Simpson called to report that he had stabbed his son. During the call, the son was heard in the background stating that his blood was "gushing." Upon arrival, officers found the son in the living room with a blood-soaked towel pressed against his neck. The son explained that the argument was over a bank card and expressed worries about his father being arrested or jailed.

The son was taken to hospital, where it was confirmed that the injury did not damage major vessels and that he was expected to recover well. Simpson told police he did not intend to kill his son, stating, "I wasn't going to murder him, I wouldn't do that," although the prosecution highlighted that the injury could have been much more serious or even fatal.

Simpson pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent. During the court proceedings, his defence argued that his difficulty managing his son's behaviour, combined with bouts of depression and alcohol consumption at the time, contributed to his loss of control. His legal team stressed that Simpson regrets his actions and that, despite the ongoing difficulties, his relationship with his son remains vital.

Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced Simpson to four years and five months in prison and ordered that any future contact with his son must be monitored. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, "This case could just have easily ended in his death," highlighting the potential danger of such altercations.