Dad, 64, who was stabbed in the neck with a sword by his own son on the 28-year-old's birthday tells court he 'just wants to be friends again' as attacker is jailed
- Conan John Francis Bertrand stabbed his dad Christopher Bertrand in the neck
- The men had been drinking while they celebrated Bertrand's birthday in 2019
- An argument broke out over a dog in Bertrand's care, which is when he attacked
A father who was stabbed in the neck by his own son in an argument over a dog has told a court he just wants his mate back.
Conan John Francis Bertrand, 28, stabbed his father Christopher Bertrand in the neck with a sword while the pair were moored off of Admiralty Island, south of Cairns, on September 28, 2019.
The men had been drinking while they celebrated Conan's birthday when an argument broke out about a dog in the son's care, The Cairns Post reported.
Conan John Francis Bertrand, 28, stabbed his father Christopher Bertrand (pictured) in the neck with a sword while moored off of Admiralty Island, south of Cairns, on September 28, 2019
The men had been drinking while they celebrated Conan's birthday when an argument broke out about a dog in the son's care (stock image)
Bertrand picked up the sword and stabbed his father in the neck, leaving a wound that needed 30 stitches.
The 28-year-old's blood alcohol content was between 0.202 and 0.274 at the time.
Bertrand was charged with attempted murder but that charge was downgraded to causing grievous bodily harm.
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However, Christopher told the court he didn't want Bertrand to be punished to the full extent of the law
Bertrand pleaded guilty to the charge in Cairns Supreme Court on Monday.
However, Christopher told the court he didn't want Bertrand to be punished to the full extent of the law.
'All I want is for Conan and I to be friends again one day and that he gets the help he needs,' his victim impact statement read.
Mr Bertrand told the court he still feels tightening and discomfort in his neck, and is now homeless and lives with friends.
Josh Trevino, Bertrand's defence lawyer, also argued for leniency in sentencing as his client had been exposed to domestic violence growing up.
Bertrand picked up the sword and stabbed his father in the neck, leaving a wound that needed 30 stitches. Pictured: island where the attack happened
Justice Jim Henry said it was 'good luck' that Bertrand didn't kill his father when he attacked him.
He said it was clear his father didn't want his son to face the maximum sentence despite 'repetition of recourse with knives when he's losing the plot', based on the son's criminal history.
Bertrand was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison and will be eligible for parole in November.
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