A man has been jailed for life for murdering his father in Preston.

Austin Duckworth, 37, was found guilty of the murder of Stephen Duckworth on Friday, April 12, and appeared at Preston Crown Court for his sentencing.

On August 26 last year, Austin Duckworth breached his bail conditions by attending the home of his victim on St George’s Road.

He forced his way into his father’s home and repeatedly punched him to the head before walking away and telling Stephen he should call an ambulance.

Lancashire Telegraph: Austin DuckworthAustin Duckworth (Image: Lancashire Police)

Stephen was able to contact the police and provided an account of what happened. He initially declined medical attention, but felt increasingly unwell as the day went on and called for an ambulance later that evening.

He was taken to hospital where it was found he had a bleed on the brain. He died from his injuries on October 12.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of Stephen’s death was blunt force head trauma.

After a five-day trial, Austin Duckworth, of no fixed abode, was found guilty of murder.

In a victim impact statement, Stephen’s brother, Geoffrey Duckworth, said: “We as a family have been shaken to the core by Stephen’s unlawful killing. We have not only lost Stephen, but have had to process the fact that the person responsible for his death is Stephen’s son, Austin, another family member.

“We cannot comprehend this. We wish we had known what Stephen had been through so we could have helped and protected him.

“Stephen did everything he could for Austin as when he split up with his ex-partner, Austin went to live with him. He tried to do what he could to help him.

“We as a family are extremely disappointed in Austin for what he has put our family through and the fact it has come to this. He has taken Stephen, a much-loved member of our family, from us. This is something that cannot be undone and does not bring Stephen back.”

DCI Jill Riley, from Lancashire Police’s force major investigation team, said: “I welcome the life sentence handed down to Austin Duckworth by the court today.

“The unprovoked and spontaneous violence that Austin Duckworth rained down on his 72-year-old father in his own home – a place where he was entitled to feel safe – is truly appalling. This was a callous and violent attack, and one which has left Stephen with non-survivable injuries.

Lancashire Telegraph: Stephen DuckworthStephen Duckworth (Image: Lancashire Police)

“This is a very rare case where a murder victim is able to provide an account of the attack to the police, which was played to the jury during this trial. This was extremely upsetting for members of Stephen’s family who were present in court.

“Hearing their words in court today, it is clear the whole family have been profoundly impacted by Stephen’s murder. They have also had to come to terms with the fact it was carried out at the hands of his own son.

“I want to place on record my thanks to Stephen’s family for the way in which they conducted themselves throughout the trial, and for the support they have given to this investigation. I am pleased that justice has been served and hope they can now begin the process of moving forward with their own lives.”