A NORTHWICH man who drunkenly beat his elderly dad before burgling his home for loose change has avoided jail.

Paul Naughton, formerly of Manchester Road, was living with his dad when he came home drunk at 3am after a works night out on Saturday, February 17.

His dad got up to see what was going on, but Naughton got angry, and started yelling and hurling abuse.

The 46-year-old then shoved his dad before barging past him down the stairs. 

Police were called and arrested him, but when he was released on bail later than day, Naughton went straight back to the house, ignoring police warning not to go back.

While he was there, he went into his dad’s bedroom, emptied a loose change jar on the bed, and started pocketing the silver coins. 

His brother, who was then in the house, tried to stop him, but couldn’t.

Police later charged Naughton with burglary in relation to the coins, as well as assault by beating for shoving his dad two days earlier. 

He pleaded guilty to both offences and was remanded in custody before appearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Monday, April 22.

Prosecuting, Nicola Parr told the court Naughton has two previous convictions, most recently for sexual assaulting a woman in 2014.

Defending, Jo Gregory, said: “It’s sad things have come this as Mr Naughton had lived with his father all his life.

"He’s struggled with alcohol in past but had been doing much better until the death of his mum two years ago.”

Miss Gregory said Naughton only went back to Manchester Road to get his belonging, not with the intention of stealing money, which she called ‘spur of the moment’.   

She added: “He is someone who would certainly benefit from intervention with the Probation Service. He has complied with community orders very well in the past.”

Passing sentencing, district judge Paul Healey said: “It seems alcohol has become a problem for you in recent years, and looks to be having an impact on your behaviour.

“It’s not the value of the property here; it’s the effect all this has had on your father, who has made it clear he can’t cope with this.

"Yet, despite being told not go to back to his house by police, you almost immediately returned."

Judge Healey handed Naughton a six-month prison sentence, suspended for one year.

He was also given 120 hours unpaid work, a three-month alcohol treatment programme, and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Healey added: “You have acknowledged your issue and I sincerely I hope you can overcome it.

“If not, you will go to prison.”