A son who tried to murder his own father during their first-ever meeting in a Scottish prison has been sentenced to more than eight years in custody.
A Brutal and Premeditated Assault
Lee Spence, aged 25, carried out what a judge described as a 'savage, premeditated and unprovoked attack' on his father, John Spence. The violent incident occurred on July 12 last year while both men were inmates on the same wing at HMP Perth.
Spence used a blade to slash his father across the head and neck, inflicting a severe wound that ran from his ear down to his neck. Following the assault, the younger Spence flushed the weapon down a prison toilet in an attempt to dispose of the evidence.
Severe Injuries and a Lack of Remorse
The attack left John Spence with life-threatening injuries, requiring immediate medical attention. He was transferred to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where doctors needed to use more than 40 stitches to close the deep laceration.
Sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, January 9, Lord Renucci highlighted the gravity of the crime and the offender's attitude. 'You have shown absolutely no remorse for your actions, quite the opposite, you appear to revel in them,' the judge told Lee Spence. He concluded that 'This was a genuine attempt to murder your father.'
Sentencing and Background to the Attack
Lee Spence, who had admitted attempted murder at the High Court in Edinburgh in November, was handed an extended sentence of eight years and three months. This will be followed by a further three years of supervision upon his eventual release.
The court heard that the two men had no prior relationship or contact, having never met before their incarceration. Lee Spence told prison officers he attacked his father due to the alleged mistreatment of his mother when he was a baby.
In mitigation, defence counsel Gordon Martin KC said his client came from a 'very difficult family background' and had suffered significant adverse childhood experiences. Spence also has a number of previous convictions.
Lord Renucci issued a stark warning to the defendant, stating: 'If you do not do something to address your offending you are in danger of spending the majority of your life in custody, but that is up to you.'
