Bradley Fardell, 24, was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison with a non-parole period of 18 months for wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

The Crown Prosecutor told the court the victim had forgiven his son for the attack.

The assault occurred after years of being exposed to domestic violence imposed on his mother by his father, the court heard.

On April 6 this year, the victim was asleep in his home on Barbigal Street, Brocklehurst, when Fardell walked into his father’s bedroom and turned on the light.

The victim woke and sat up in his bed before his son used a knife to slash his throat.

The victim had left messages that evening on Fardell’s mother’s phone accusing her and their son of stealing his petrol, the court heard.

After the attack, Fardell’s father drove himself to Dubbo Base Hospital where he received surgery to stop the bleeding on the 10cm wound on his neck.

He also received a superficial wound to the chest and remained in hospital for two days.

When Fardell was first arrested, he denied any assault on his father. However, when the matter went to court he pleaded guilty.

Fardell’s mother gave evidence to the court earlier this week about a long history of domestic abuse toward her by the victim.

She said she had been married to Fardell’s father after beginning a relationship with him at the age of 16.

She told the court he was the youngest of three children and said she would often tell him about the problems she was having with her husband.

“He would come home and find me crying and ask me what was wrong,” she said.

Looking back on those occasions, Mrs Fardell said she had put too much of a burden on the accused.

Some years ago, the victim held a rifle to her head and threatened to kill her if she ever went to the police, she told the court.

Acting Judge Sir Robert Woods noted the harmful affect parental problems could have on children when addressing the court.

“(Fardell) was trapped in an acrimonious situation ... the problems of parents make life difficult for children ... and occasionally ... we have to pick up the pieces,” he said.

After the attack, detectives from Orana Local Area Command underwent an investigation, establishing two crime scenes in Brocklehurst.

Fardell was arrested at his home on the Newell Highway on April 7 and conveyed to Dubbo for questioning.

He was initially charged with attempted murder and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Fardell made his first appearance in Dubbo Local Court on April 8 this year.

Bail was continually refused since his arrest.

Judge Woods backdated the sentence to April 7 when Fardell was first taken into custody.

He will be eligible for parole next October.

An apprehended violence order was imposed for five years at an earlier date in court, but Fardell’s father asked for part

of the order to be removed so

that he could visit his son in prison.

“The victim has forgiven the offender,” the Crown Prosecutor said.

Judge Woods allowed for the change yesterday and said he could visit the offender.