A Lurgan man who pushed over his parents and ripped his mother’s “good bible” has been sentenced to four months in prison.
Philip Archer, 46, pleaded guilty to four counts of common assault, two counts of criminal damage and disorderly behaviour at the Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
It was heard the incident occurred on June 18 at around 9.30pm, when police were called to a domestic disturbance in the Lurgan area.
The injured party told police that her son had been intoxicated at her house and had pushed both her and her husband to the floor.
He did this, she said, to prevent them from leaving the address.
The defendant then went to bed and things calmed down.
However, the peace only lasted until the next morning when he got up and continued drinking.
The defendant’s mother said Archer ripped up her “good bible” and smashed her reading glasses. Archer was subsequently arrested.
During interview, he admitted to pushing both his parents over but stated his dad had overreacted.
When asked about his parent’s ages on Friday the defendant revealed he believed his father to be 75 and his mother 80.
It was heard that Archer had been on remand since the date he was arrested in June.
Defence barrister Conor Lunny commented that little could be said to mitigate the incident, adding that the “main concern going forward is the safety of the parents”.
Mr Lunny commented that Archer was lucky the case was not being heard in a higher court.
Court also heard that the defendant was convicted of an assault on his father in August of last year.
District Judge Bernie Kelly branded Archer’s actions an “absolute disgrace” stating, “you don’t know how lucky you are some people’s parents don’t reach those years”.
“These are heinous offences as they are on your elderly parents,” she added.
Archer was sentenced to four months in prison on all charges.
Judge Kelly also put in place a three-year restraining order for both parents stating: “If you can’t sort yourself out, you can’t continue to torture these people”.
