A son who left his father with broken ribs and a footprint on his chest in a violent attack – months after he tried to set his dad’s front door on fire – was jailed for almost two and a half years.
Dylan Conway battered his father just months after setting fire to his front door in a bid to wake his dad up after he’d kicked him out of the house.
Conway now faces a jail term after admitting charges of wilful fireraising, assault and breaching bail at Dundee Sheriff Court.
The court was told that after the attack Conway had gone to the doors of neighbouring flats for help – then called an ambulance claiming his father had hurt himself while falling.
But when paramedics arrived they discovered a footprint on the 46-year-old’s chest that matched the pattern on the sole of Conway’s shoe.
Fiscal depute Vicky Bell told the court: “There was a broken cup lying beside the complainer’s head and he had a laceration above his eye.
“The accused insisted on staying with him and repeatedly said he had fallen.
“When he was taken to the ambulance for closer examination there was bruising to his chest.
“The paramedics were of the opinion that it matched the pattern on the soles of the accused’s shoes.
“The accused said at that time he had stamped on his chest to restrain him.”
Conway later told cops: “We were just having a laugh – he hit me on the leg and I didn’t like it so I kicked his chest.”
In relation to the earlier fireraising incident the prosecutor added: “The accused had been asked to leave the flat by his father and was told he was no longer welcome there.
“Police had to be called and they got him to leave.
“Later he returned and sat outside the door knocking occasionally.
“His father later fell asleep in the living room and was woken at 10.30pm by the smoke alarm.
“He discovered lit pieces of napkin had been pushed through the door.
“When interviewed by police the accused seemed to show no remorse and did not comprehend what he had done.”
Conway, 20, of Landsdowne Court, Dundee, pleaded guilty on indictment to charges of wilful fireraising committed on September 14 last year, breaching bail on October 12 last year and an assault on May 28 this year.
David Sinclair, defending, said: “He is a young man who has in the past month on remand had the chance to reflect on where his life is taking him.
“He says he won’t drink ever again.”
Sheriff George Way jailed Conway for a total of 29 months and imposed a one-year supervised release order.
He said: “For these types of offence and with the background I’d be failing my duty to the public if I didn’t bring home the fact that there needs to be protection by a period of custody.
“You know how serious this is – I’m not going to give you a long lecture.
“The assault was something that cannot be tolerated.”