A Warrington man who was previously jailed in France for murdering his partner has been sentenced to six years in prison after seriously assaulting his elderly father at the family home in Winwick.
Ian Griffin, 57, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Monday, September 14, after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm on his father and threatening to damage a neighbour’s property.
The court heard how the disturbing incident unfolded at the family home on April 30, 2025, when Griffin caused a disturbance and neighbours heard him shouting and making threats towards his parents, who were both in their 80s.
His behaviour then turned towards the neighbours, who were in their own garden. Griffin threatened to burn down their house.
The following day, May 1, police were called to the property after a concerned relative was unable to make contact with his father.
Officers arrived to find the elderly man on a sofa suffering from significant facial injuries. Griffin was still present in the room and was arrested.
His father had suffered serious injuries during what prosecutors described as a sustained attack, including a fractured nose and extensive bruising to his face, back and legs.
Griffin initially denied the offences when questioned by police.
However, on April 15 this year, he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to inflicting grievous bodily harm and threatening to destroy or damage property.
He was sentenced today to five years in prison for the assault, together with a further one year for the threats to damage property, to be served consecutively.
The court also imposed indefinite restraining orders in relation to three victims.
Previous murder conviction
The case also revealed Griffin’s previous conviction for murder in France.
In December 2014, he was convicted by a French court of murdering his partner in Paris and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
He was released in 2016 on medical grounds, subject to conditions.
The CPS said the assault on his elderly father followed a period of escalating tension within the family, which ultimately culminated in violence inside the Winwick home.
Senior Crown Prosecutor Angie Rowan, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said Griffin had carried out a serious assault on his elderly father, causing significant injury.
“This offence followed a period of escalating tension within the family and culminated in violence inside the family home,” she said.
She added that Griffin’s guilty plea meant his father and other witnesses did not have to give evidence at trial.
“Our thoughts remain with the victims, who have shown considerable strength throughout what has been a very difficult case,” she said.
The case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of elderly people who can find themselves exposed to violence within their own family homes.
