Man jailed after attack on his wheelchair-bound father

The case was heard at Teesside Crown Court.

David Peterson, 48, punched wheelchair user Albert Peterson, 82, on the nose.

Peterson was sent to prison for six months and banned from contacting his father for five years.

Teesside Crown Court heard Peterson’s demands for cash had caused friction between the pair in the past and Jon Harley, prosecuting, said: “The victim in this case has a number of health problems, including breathing difficulties.

“He uses a wheelchair, and was at his home in Hartlepool on the day of the assault. David Peterson arrived with his daughter for a visit.

“He asked for money, something which the victim says he has done a number of times in the past, usually about £20. This latest request was refused, and David Peterson left.”

The court heard Peterson returned on his own a short time later.

“Again he demanded money,” said Mr Harley. “The demand was refused again. That sparked an argument which also took in other family matters.

“David Peterson them struck his father to the face and nose. His father tried to activate his panic alarm, but Peterson stopped him.

Peterson, of no fixed address, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on March 24.

He has previous convictions for 164 offences.

Shaun Dryden, defending, said in mitigation: “Mr Peterson has a bad record. Most of the offences relate to acquisitive crime to get money for his long-standing drug addiction.

“There are very few offences of violence, the last one of those was in 2012. Mr Peterson is ashamed and embarrassed by his conduct that day.

“It was a family argument that got out of hand. The violence was a single blow, and was not sustained.”

“Mr Peterson has been on remand since his arrest in April, so has already served the equivalent of eight months in prison.”

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton sentenced Peterson to six months in prison.

The judge told him: “I accept there was a family background, but it is still a serious matter.”

Peterson was made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting his father for five years.