Man guilty of murdering father in 'callous' attack

Austin Duckworth forced his way into his father’s home in Preston

A man has been found guilty of murdering his father in his home.

Austin Duckworth forced his way into the house in Preston on 26 August last year "and repeatedly punched him to the head", Lancashire Police said.

His father Stephen Duckworth, 72, was taken to hospital where he was found to have a bleed on his brain and he died on 12 October.

After a five-day trial at Preston Crown Court, Austin Duckworth, 37, of no fixed address, was convicted of murder.

He will be sentenced at the same court on 16 April.

Duckworth breached his bail conditions by attending his father's home on St George’s Road, Lancashire Police said.

After repeatedly punching him in the head, he walked away, telling his father he better call an ambulance.

He was able to contact police and told them what happened but declined medical attention initially.

However, he felt increasingly unwell as the day progressed and called for an ambulance.

He was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries.

A post-mortem examination found he died from blunt force head trauma.

Stephen Duckworth died from blunt force head trauma

Det Ch Insp Jill Riley said it was a "tragic case".

She said: "Austin Duckworth set about punching his elderly father to the head and face and continued to do so as he fell to his knees and sought to protect himself from the blows with his arms.

"This was a callous and violent attack and one which left Stephen with non-survivable injuries.

“This is a very rare case where a murder victim was able to provide an account of the attack to the police, which was played to the jury during this trial.

"I am pleased that justice has been served today and hope this goes in some way to providing comfort to Stephen’s family.”

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