Son wanted to shoot ‘lousy’ dad

A MAN from Kokkinotrimithia village, accused of threatening to shoot his father, yesterday told a court his father was a terrible father, an alcoholic and a gambler.

The 25-year-old man had previously pleaded guilty to two charges of illegal possession of weapons and using a weapon with intent to threaten.

On Wednesday, the court had heard the man’s defence lawyer outline the reasons behind incident claiming that his client’s behaviour stemmed mostly from the “lousy” father that he had.

According to police investigator, the man had gone to the local coffee shop in the village clutching his army-issued assault rifle shouting that he was looking for his father.

Coffeeshop regulars managed to wrestle the gun out of the man’s hand. Police who came shortly afterwards and arrested the man noticed that he reeked of alcohol.

“When my client was 17 years old, he was involved in a horrific car accident, which left him blind in one eye,” said the defence.

“He managed to win £75,000 in compensation, but that money was blown by his father who has a severe gambling problem. The financial situation of his father is therefore very bleak and they are in danger of losing their house because of the father’s activities.”

The court had also heard how his father would drink constantly and had an addiction to gambling. He also claimed that both he and his brother would be frequent witnesses to family violence and that his father would never bring any money to the family.

“His mother, who is the sole provider at home, is to this day working all day and all night to provide the basic needs both to herself and her children,” added the defence lawyer.

The defence had also claimed that the defendant was suffering from health problems and could not find proper work.

Despite noting that the offences that he committed carried a prison sentence of up to 15 years, Judge Alexandros Panayiotou took into consideration the exceptional circumstances of the case and decided not to jail the man.

The judge sentenced the 25-year-old to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for three years.

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