Drunken son who beat up his father at his parents’ wedding vows renewal celebration after he was confronted about taking cocaine avoids jail

• Aaron Shorey repeatedly punched his father in the face and chest on May 6 

A son who beat up his own father at his parents’ wedding vows renewal celebration after he was confronted about taking cocaine has been spared jail.

Ian and Mandy Shorey had been marking their 30th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at the Dudsbury Golf Club in Ferndown, Dorset, on May 6.

But the family celebration ended in violence when a drunken Aaron Shorey attacked his father who had confronted him about taking cocaine.

He repeatedly punched Mr Shorey in the face and chest and had to be pulled off by shocked wedding guests.

After admitting offences including assaulting an emergency worker, Shorey was sentenced to a community order. 

Aaron Shorey (right) beat up his father Ian Shorey (left) but has been spared jail

Ian and Mandy Shorey had been marking their 30th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at the Dudsbury Golf Club in Ferndown, Dorset

Police were called at 10.20pm on May 6 and found an ‘intoxicated and emotional’ Shorey at the golf club.

After threatening to kill himself, he pushed one of the police officers to the floor and was subsequently arrested. Police also found a small amount of cocaine on him.

The court heard Mr Shorey Snr was taken to hospital and had an X-ray, but luckily suffered only tenderness to his chest and a bloody nose.

He did not support the prosecution of his son and even provided a character reference to the court for him.

He told Judge Orla Austin he wanted to rebuild the relationship with his son and they now get on better than ever.

Victoria Hill, prosecuting, said: ‘The victim was never in support of prosecution, he did initially provide a statement to police but retracted it very soon after.

‘The victim of the offences is the defendant’s father. They were all at Dudsbury Golf Club in Ferndown, the victim and his wife were renewing their vows.

‘There was some verbal altercation about his use of drugs that appears to have left some issues. The defendant repeatedly punched the victim multiple times to the face and chest.

‘One witness said the defendant was definitely aiming for the victim’s head.. Other people intervened to split it up.

Mr Shorey (right) did not support the prosecution of his son and even provided a character reference to the court for him

The couple’s son has now moved back into the family home and no longer takes drugs, a court heard

‘The defendant was located nearby by police officers and said to them he had caved his dad’s head in. He was intoxicated and emotional and refused to stay with the police.

‘He walked off saying he was going to kill himself and the officers took hold of him. In response he lashed out and pushed PC Wells, causing him to fall to the floor. Fortunately no injuries were caused to PC Wells.’

Mr Shorey Snr said: ‘I want to build a relationship with my son. He has shown remorse since it has happened and we seem now to get on better than ever.

‘I think he was in shock about what he did.’

When the judge asked about drug taking Mr Shorey said his son lived with him and his mother and as far as they are aware he is no longer taking any.

Aaron Shorey admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his father, possession of a Class A drug and assault of an emergency worker.

James Moore, defending, said: ‘This was a horrible incident. Mr Shorey has got this wrong, against the person he probably loves the most. He is devastated.

‘But out of negatives can come positives, if you are willing and able. He has had counselling and he has learnt that alcohol is a very dangerous mind-bending drug.

‘He has gone back into the family home and is very remorseful. He wouldn’t dare get himself into such a state that he’s likely to do it again.’

District Judge Orla Austin sentenced Shorey to a 12-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to PC Wells and £85 prosecution costs.

She said: ‘This was a horrible incident. Your father was renewing his wedding vows on what should have been a special and memorable occasion.

‘But he emerged from that with injuries caused by you. I accept it was influenced by alcohol and drugs, and because of your good character, what probation say, your remorse and references, I am prepared to impose a community order.’

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