Dad, 82, 'feared he'd die' as son launched 'cruel attacks'

DRUG user Matthew Haywood twice attacked his 82-year-old dad.

- Sentinel Reporter

The 45-year-old was living with his father when he tried to get a phone off him. He pressed his arm into the pensioner’s neck and applied some pressure and there was a tussle before Haywood snatched the phone.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard he held a carving knife to his dad’s head and pushed the handle into his stomach. After dropping the knife, he punched his victim eight times.

About four months later he went to his dad's address and stole a wallet and tried to take his car. He again repeatedly punched his dad, leaving him with bruises. Now Haywood has been jailed for 28 months.

Prosecutor Matthew Ness said Haywood was living with his elderly father on July 26 last year when he had an argument on the phone with his partner. His dad told him he’d had enough of listening to it and asked for the phone back.

Haywood returned it but believed a message had been received and wanted it back. His dad put it behind his back and sat on his arm.