A man has been sentenced to more than eight years in prison for a calculated and brutal attack on his father at HMP Perth. Lee Spence, 25, assaulted his father with a blade, causing a severe wound that required over 40 stitches. Spence admitted to striking his father and attempting to murder him during a court hearing in Edinburgh last November.
The court learned that Spence had no previous relationship with his father and carried out the attack due to alleged mistreatment of his mother when he was a baby. Despite not knowing each other, both men were inmates on the same wing in the prison.
During sentencing at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Renucci imposed a total sentence of eight years and three months in custody, with an additional three years of supervision upon release. Describing the assault as savage and premeditated, the judge criticized Spence for showing no remorse and emphasized the seriousness of the attempted murder.
Spence’s legal representative acknowledged his client’s troubled upbringing, citing significant adverse experiences during his childhood. The court was informed that Spence’s father received medical treatment at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee following the violent incident.
Lord Renucci warned Spence about his criminal history and the potential consequences if he does not address his behavior, urging him to take action to avoid prolonged incarceration.