A STUDENT who sank his teeth into his dad’s ear after a Christmas Eve drinking session has walked free from court.
Gareth Wilde, who is said to suffer depression and have an alcohol problem, left victim Colin Wilde cut and bleeding after the attack at the family home in Nelson.
Pennine magistrates heard how Wilde, who is at Burnley College on a business studies course, had turned to drink after he and a friend found some drugs in a local park and the friend took them and died.
The defendant was given eight weeks in prison, suspended for a year, with 12 months supervision to address alcohol misuse and anger management.
Wilde (21), of Park Drive, admitted assault by beating.
The Bench told him a home should be a place of refuge, he had used his teeth as a weapon and his actions would have ongoing effects on his father, physically and emotionally.
Mrs Alex Mann (prosecuting) said the defendant and his father has been out drinking and both were said to be quite drunk.
Wilde was saying unpleasant things once home and he and his father ended up grappling. Someone tried to separate them and the defendant bit his dad. Wilde had a record and some offences related to drink and drugs.
Mr Nick Cassidy, for Wilde, said it was perhaps due to good luck the defendant wasn’t facing a more serious charge. Thankfully, his father did not suffer permanent injury.
Wilde had a number of problems. He had had an issue with drink since his friend died, although he accepted he had to take responsibility for his actions.
Mr Cassidy said when the defendant would start drinking, he couldn’t stop. He had been adamant he wasn’t going to have a drink, but was pestered by friends. The defendant thought he could have one or two drinks, but he carried on drinking and an argument developed at his father’s address.
The solicitor continued: “The defendant has little, if any recollection, of events. He fully accepts he needs some professional help in relation to his drinking.”
Mr Cassidy added Wilde, who was on medication, wanted to apologise to his father. He told the justices: “Hopefully, if the defendant stops drinking, hopefully we won’t see him again.”