Son jailed for killing father in drunken row on stairs in Oxford
Daniel Gonzalez, 41, was rowing with his father, 79-year-old Matias Gonzalez, when he pushed past him on a narrow staircase
A man who killed his elderly father during a drunken argument at their home has been jailed for nearly seven years.
Daniel Gonzalez, 41, was rowing with his father, 79-year-old Matias Gonzalez, when he pushed past him on a narrow staircase.
Mr Gonzalez, a retired car factory worker, lost his balance and fell down the staircase, suffering fatal head injuries from which he died in hospital.
The incident took place in December last year at their home in Garsington, Oxford.
Oxford Crown Court heard the defendant had twice previously attacked his father while intoxicated but Mr Gonzalez had not supported a prosecution.
Danny Robinson KC, prosecuting, told the court Mr Gonzalez had a long-standing heart condition and used a pacemaker.
He said the incident took place on the evening of December 15 and involved a row over a £1,500 debt the defendant was owed by another man.
Gonzalez had drunk half a litre of brandy and pushed past his father on the stairs, causing him to fall.
"He said he felt betrayed by his father as he had been looking for the man who owed him £1,500," Mr Robinson said.
Gonzalez then called the emergency services, telling the call handler: "I tried to get down the stairs and pushed past him and he fell.
"I didn't push him down the stairs."
Gonzalez, of Oxford Road, Garsington, previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
A charge of murder was not proceeded with after the prosecution offered no evidence.
Andew Selby KC, defending, said Gonzalez was remorseful for his actions.
"Mr Gonzalez always accepted he pushed past his father. It was difficult for Mr Gonzalez to accept that he was responsible for the death of his own father," he said.
"That sense of responsibility and remorse will stay with him beyond the prison sentence he serves.
"The remorse is genuine."
Mr Justice Dexter Dias jailed Gonzalez for six years and 10 months and told him he would serve two-thirds of the sentence in custody before being eligible for parole.
"The pushing was a dangerous and reckless act but with a clear but not high risk of harm," he said.
"The defendant told police that he felt betrayed by his father as he knew he was looking for the man who owed him money.
"There were three incidents of domestic abuse, and they took place in the home and involved the defendant either intoxicated or having been drinking
"This was a difficult and dysfunctional relationship. The defendant clearly has great difficulty in regulating and controlling his drinking.
"This was a sudden reckless act by the defendant in pushing his father. I accept the defendant has to live with the knowledge that he killed his father."