A MAN has been jailed after assaulting his elderly father in an attack that left the 79-year-old needing a hip replacement.
Aled Powell-Jones, 48, of Ffordd Ysgethin, Tal y Bont, near Barmouth, admitted causing grievous bodily harm without intent following the incident on Tuesday (Jan 7).
Father knocked to ground
The court heard that the victim, David Powell-Jones, had gone to his son’s home to deliver meals and a cheque for £400 that the defendant had asked for.
Prosecutor Elen Owen said the elderly man briefly left the property to collect the cheque and returned shortly afterwards.
However, when he came back, Powell-Jones suddenly confronted him outside the house.
“For no apparent reason the defendant was in a bad mood,” the prosecutor said.
He then barged his father with his shoulder, knocking the pensioner to the ground before kicking him to the knee and other parts of his body.
Despite his injuries, the victim managed to crawl back to his car and drove to his wife, flashing his lights to attract attention.
He told her: “Help me. He’s hit me. I can’t move, I’m in pain.”
An ambulance was called the following morning.
Later, the victim’s wife messaged the defendant, writing: “You must be proud of beating up a man of nearly 80 and leaving him in terrific pain.”
Long-standing concerns
The court heard that Powell-Jones’ parents had been worried about his mental health since he was in his twenties, but he had repeatedly refused support.
He had been living in a property owned by his parents, who also helped pay his bills, bought groceries and regularly provided meals and financial assistance.
Arrest and denial
When officers arrested Powell-Jones he was said to have behaved aggressively and had to be restrained.
During police interview he denied assaulting his father, claiming the older man had fallen after grabbing his coat.
He also claimed he had only “gently tapped” his father with his foot in an attempt to make him get up.
Life-changing injuries
The assault left the victim with a fractured hip requiring surgery.
Once fit and active, he now relies on crutches, medication and physiotherapy and has suffered lasting mobility problems.
In a victim impact statement he said the incident had “completely changed” his life and that he felt afraid to return home because of the trauma he had suffered.
Prison sentence imposed
Defending barrister Duncan Bould said Powell-Jones had no previous convictions, had entered an early guilty plea and was remorseful. He added that the defendant had struggled with declining mental health for many years.
Sentencing him, Judge Timothy Petts said the attack had caused serious harm to a vulnerable victim.
He said the elderly man had required surgery to repair his broken hip and had been left in pain and needing ongoing physiotherapy.
Powell-Jones was jailed for 20 months. He will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence.
The judge also imposed a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting his father, along with a statutory surcharge.
