Monmouth stepdad attacked by stepson while watching Emmerdale

Monmouth stepdad attacked by stepson while watching Emmerdale

A 43-year-old man assaulted his 75-year-old stepfather in an incident sparked by mocking him for watching the ITV soap opera Emmerdale. The attack involved James Beaumont striking Martyn Sumner with a vacuum cleaner and repeatedly punching him while Sumner was seated in his armchair watching the show.

The events unfolded after the pair had spent time drinking together at a Wetherspoons pub in Monmouth in September 2025. Upon returning home, Beaumont’s attitude reportedly shifted as he began cleaning. Prosecutor Tim Lewis detailed the verbal abuse directed at the victim, quoting Beaumont saying, “What are you watching this old woman’s programme for? I shouldn’t have to do this.”

Following the verbal exchange, Beaumont physically assaulted his stepfather by hitting him with the vacuum cleaner and punching him multiple times, even after Sumner had called emergency services. At Cardiff Crown Court, Beaumont admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and received a community order lasting 12 months, plus an obligation to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

During sentencing, Judge Recorder Andrew Hammond described the attack as entirely unprovoked and said the elderly victim was “shocked and frightened,” adding that no one understood the reason behind Beaumont’s actions. The court also heard that Sumner sought to mend his relationship with his stepson and had even provided him with a character reference. Beaumont’s lawyer emphasized that his client was remorseful, stating he felt “ashamed, embarrassed and sorry” and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More