A DRUNKEN SON WHOSE PENSIONER FATHER DIED AFTER A

A DRUNKEN SON WHOSE PENSIONER FATHER DIED AFTER A VIOLENT
BRAWL WAS CLEARED OF MANSLAUGHTER AT THE OLD BAILEY ON MONDAY.

A HORRIFIED NEPHEW FOUND 70 YEAR OLD THOMAS BROWN UNCONSCIOUS
ON THE FLOOR AT HIS HOME IN DARLAN ROAD, FULHAM, AFTER THE FIGHT ON
APRIL 17 LAST YEAR.

HE HAD EARLIER BEEN DRINKING HEAVILY AND “CHATTING AMICABLY”
WITH HIS 42 YEAR OLD SON NORRIS, THE JURY HEARD.

BUT A TRIVIAL ROW STARTED OVER A LETTER BROWN WAS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE POSTED FOR HIS FATHER.

NORRIS WAS ACCUSED OF POCKETING CASH FROM
THE LETTER: “THEN HIS FATHER HIT HIM AND HE RETALIATED,” SAID
PROSECUTING COUNSEL MR MICHAEL SAYERS.

IN HIS DEFENCE, BROWN ADMITTED BEING DRUNK AT THE TIME, BUT
DENIED PUNCHING HIS FATHER.

HE SAID HE TRIED TO HOLD THE OLDER MAN
OFF IN THE STRUGGLE, BUT HIS FATHER ACCIDENTALLY FELL, HITTING HIS
HEAD ON A COFFEE TABLE.

MR BROWN DIED IN HOSPITAL TWO DAYS LATER.

A SMASHED RIB HAD
PIERCED HIS LUNG.

ALTHOUGH THE DEAD MAN HAD SUFFERED BRUISING TO THE FACE, NECK
AND CHEST, THERE WERE NO MARKS TO HIS SON’S FISTS, THE COURT HEARD.

THERE WERE SHOUTS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY AS THE VERDICT WAS
ANNOUNCED.

NORRIS, OF NO FIXED ADDRESS, HAD DENIED MANSLAUGHTER.

ENDS