A man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for a brutal and premeditated attack on his father at HMP Perth. Lee Spence, 25, assaulted his father, John Spence, with a blade, causing a severe wound that required over 40 stitches. The incident, which took place on July 12 last year, was the first meeting between the two men, who were both inmates at the same facility.
During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in November, Spence admitted to assaulting his father with a blade and attempting to murder him. He expressed no remorse for his actions and provided a chilling account to prison officers, citing past grievances related to his mother. The judge, Lord Renucci, described the attack as savage and unprovoked.
Spence received a sentence of eight years and three months in custody, followed by three years of supervision upon release. Despite having a history of previous convictions, Spence’s defense lawyer acknowledged his client’s troubled upbringing and the adverse experiences he had endured. The court heard that John Spence received medical treatment at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee following the assault.
In his concluding remarks, Lord Renucci warned Spence about the consequences of his criminal behavior and urged him to address his offending to avoid a prolonged incarceration. The severity of the attack and Spence’s lack of remorse were highlighted as aggravating factors during sentencing.