A 41-year-old Carnarvon man has been sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment for assaulting his 11-year-old son. The Carnarvon Magistrates’ Court handed down the verdict on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.
The assault occurred at the family home on the evening of Tuesday, 5 August 2025. According to the facts presented in court, the incident began between 20:00 and 20:30 after the minor requested his cellphone SIM card from his father. A minor argument escalated into a violent attack.
The court found that the accused repeatedly lashed the child with a belt, inflicting serious physical injuries and emotional trauma. The victim initially escaped, but the father demanded he return. Upon reaching the child, the accused threw him to the ground, sat on him, and continued the assault. The attack included punching, kicking, choking, and a knee strike to the victim’s ribs.
The child’s cries for help alerted his mother, who intervened and rescued him.
A case of Assault with Intent to Cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) was opened at the Carnarvon Police Station. This led to the arrest of the accused on 11 August 2025.
Following his conviction, the court imposed the five-year prison sentence and declared the man unfit to possess a firearm.
The investigation was led by Sergeant Marlon Eksteen of the Carnarvon Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, who conducted a thorough investigation to secure justice for the victim.