Son knocked out father who was kneeling to mop up spilled milk

A son knocked his father out by kicking him while he was kneeling to mop up spilled milk, a court heard yesterday.

Sheriff Gillian Wade slammed the actions of Joshua Tuckwood, 20, of Glendevon Road, Perth, by telling him his attitude to the offence was “poor” and that custody was at the “forefront” of her mind.

Perth Sheriff Court heard that the accused’s father, Philip, suffered a black eye and a swollen cheek after the assault, which took place at the family home. He was taken to Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) following the incident.

Depute fiscal Carol Whyte said: “Around 6pm, the accused had spilled milk and began shouting at his parents, who were trying to clear the mess up. As Mr Tuckwood Sr mopped up the milk, he slumped to the floor.

“The accused told his mother he had kicked his father ‘square in the face’ while his dad had crouched down to clean up the milk, adding that he ‘deserved it’. The accused had said, ‘I’ve knocked him out, mum.’”

Ms Whyte said Mrs Tuckwood phoned for an ambulance and her husband then regained consciousness.

The court heard that Mr Tuckwood Sr was examined by doctors at PRI.

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said his client had told him his relationship with his father had been characterised by “physical and verbal abuse” over the years.

Mr Holmes said Mr Tuckwood Sr had made a remark about his son’s girlfriend “dumping” him after the milk was spilled, resulting in the son losing control.

“My client’s father was back at work the following day,” he said. “His father confirmed there had been physical tussles with his son throughout childhood.

“Mrs Tuckwood has told me that her husband and son get on better now.”

Tuckwood had admitted that on June 8 last year at an address in Glendevon Road, Perth, he kicked his father on the head, rendering him unconscious.

In sentencing Tuckwood, Sheriff Wade told him: “Kicking anyone on the head is a very serious matter and you could have faced an indictment involving a jury. I am alarmed that in a background report you stated you were taken aback that you could face prison for this offence.

“It does not appear to me that you have any concept of how serious this offence is.

“Custody has been at the forefront of my mind.”

Sentence was deferred, until May 3, for reports.