A man has been sentenced to prison for assaulting his 89-year-old father with a hammer following an argument about a messy room. Martin Thornley, 44, repeatedly struck his elderly father on May 31, causing severe injuries including head wounds, a brain bleed, and a breastbone fracture.
Living with his father, Thornley left a note promising to tidy up the room within three days after being asked to clear out vodka bottles. Subsequently, he used a hammer to attack his father, resulting in a brutal assault that went unnoticed until a concerned neighbor discovered the injured elder the next day.
During a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Thornley was apprehended at home with incriminating evidence, including bloodstains and clothing. The crime scene displayed significant blood splatters, smeared walls, and the victim’s discarded glasses and a tooth fragment.
In a statement to the court, Thornley’s sister, Lorraine Bird, described the devastating impact of the incident on their father, who now requires full-time care in a nursing home. This was not the first time Thornley had assaulted his father, having previously caused him to fall down the stairs in a separate incident.
Defending Thornley, Carmel Wilde highlighted his struggles with autism and depression, emphasizing his remorse and emotional response upon learning of his father’s injuries. Thornley was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison, with a restraining order preventing him from contacting his father due to the serious risk he posed.
The judge emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting the vulnerability of the victim, Thornley’s history of violence, and the unprovoked nature of the attack. Thornley’s capacity for sudden violence and lack of conflict management skills were cited as factors contributing to the severity of the sentence imposed.