Dad gave son £400 - he repaid him by leaving him with a broken hip

A man who assaulted his elderly father, resulting in a broken hip, was sentenced to prison. Aled Powell-Jones was accused of pushing his father over and then kicking him multiple times, according to court proceedings.

David Powell-Jones, 79, required a hip replacement after it was fractured during the incident on 7 January this year. His mobility has since been affected and he experiences pain, having previously been fit and healthy. Powell-Jones, 48, from Ffordd Ysgethin, Tal y Bont, Barmouth, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

Prosecutor Elen Owen stated that Powell-Jones' parents had been worried about his mental health since his twenties, but he had consistently refused assistance. 

On the day of the assault in Barmouth, he was living in a property owned by his parents, who would pay his bills, purchase groceries for him, deliver meals to him, and provide him with cheques for money,

That evening, Mr Powell-Jones delivered meals to the defendant. He then returned to inform Powell-Jones that he needed £400.

His father came back with a cheque for the defendant.

His wife grew anxious and began walking towards the property when she saw her husband approaching her in a car, flashing his lights. He told her "Help me. He's hit me. I can't move, I'm in pain," Ms Owen reported.

He was "doubled up in pain" and an ambulance was called the following morning. She sent a message to Powell-Jones stating: "You must be proud of beating up a man of nearly 80 and leaving him in terrific pain," Ms Owen informed the court.

The defendant replied: "Yes we're managing X."

Ms Owen stated that when Mr Powell-Jones returned with the cheque, "for no apparent reason" the defendant was in a foul mood, emerged and shoulder-barged Mr Powell-Jones to the ground.

He then "kicked him to his left knee and other areas" before the victim managed to crawl to his vehicle.

The defendant was aggressive towards police and had to be restrained. In a police interview he denied assaulting his dad, claiming he had grabbed his coat and released him and his dad fell over.

He then "gently tapped his father" with his foot to "get up", the court heard.

Mr Powell-Jones had to use crutches to walk and required the assistance of his family, taking medication to manage the pain and physiotherapy.

In a victim impact statement he said the assault "had completely changed his life" and he had been frightened of returning home "due to the mental trauma".

The court heard Powell-Jones had no previous convictions.

Defending, Duncan Bould, stated he had entered an early guilty plea, he was remorseful and had suffered mental health issues for a number of years, which had been deteriorating, with the defendant believing he was suffering early dementia, claiming lack of memory issues.

Judge Timothy Petts said Mr Powell-Jones "needed surgery to fix his broken hip and that has had a severe impact on his life and his mobility, given the pain he's been in and physiotherapy". Mr Powell-Jones was also vulnerable, owing to his age and this was additionally an assault on a family member.

He sentenced Powell-Jones to 20 months' imprisonment with up to half in custody and the remainder on licence, acknowledging that mental health issues may be a contributing factor, but observing that "there is nothing the probation service can offer you in the community".

Powell-Jones was also issued with a 10-year restraining order. A statutory surcharge was also imposed.