Julian Thomas jailed after ABH assault on 80 year-old father

Julian Thomas, 48, of Chili Road on Illogan Highway in Pool, near Redruth, appeared at Truro Crown Court on Wednesday, October 19 having pleaded guilty to one charge of ABH for a drunken assault on his father.

The offence took place on May 24 2022 in Redruth where Thomas assaulted the victim, who was in his 80s, after becoming extremely drunk.

The court heard how the attack on his elderly father lasted around ten minutes, with Thomas himself describing the assault as 'frenzied' and that he "didn't know what I would have done" if not for the intervention of another person that brought the attack to an end. 

The victim was taken to hospital and subsequently had a heart attack while there, with the prosecution telling the court that this was no doubt due to the stress of the incident.

Julian Thomas (Image: Devon & Cornwall Police)

After an examination, it was discovered Thomas's father had eight fractured ribs and bruising to his chest area following the assault.

Thomas had previously appeared at magistrates court charged with unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm upon a person, however, was later charged with ABH to which he pleaded guilty.

During his sentencing, Judge Stephen Carr told Thomas: "In magistrates court you faced a more serious charge of causing wounding.

"You will receive full credit for your guilty plea.

"You described yourself as a 10 (drunkenness) upon your return and committed a continued and brutal assault.

"The sustained nature of the assault puts it in the region of category 1A.

"I've seen multiple reports about your mental health, this assault was done due to your drunkenness.

"Your mental health had nothing to do with it.

"I am clear that the appropriate sentence is two and a half years imprisonment."

A five-year restraining order was also put into place to prevent Thomas from contacting the victim.