Man tried to throttle father, 80

A man who tried to throttle his elderly father at a warden-controlled flat in Wolverhampton, after a tongue in cheek comment about him being clumsy caused him to lash out, has avoided jail.

The attack was on 80-year-old Norman Pearce, who had heart problems and walked with crutches", Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

He told off his son Arthur after the 60-year-old accidentally knocked over a light while visiting his parents' home in Whitmore Reans.

Prosecutor John Edwards said yesterday: "He said something like 'you are clumsy and should not be messing about' and that seemingly innocuous commented provoked a violent reaction from his son who lunged at him, sending both to the floor."

The pensioner suffered bruises around his neck.

Miss Jabeen Akhtar, defending, said: "He fully accepts that this should never have happened but it was a result of the way his father had constantly criticised him over the years."

The older man died from ill-health three months after the incident on August 13 last year.

Arthur Pearce, from Newbridge Crescent, Tettenhall, who has a previous conviction for battery, admitted assault and was given a one year jail sentence, suspended under supervision for 18 months.