History of domestic abuse led to tragic outcome
The local community in Tavira has been rocked by tragedy after a 20-year-old man was arrested for fatally stabbing his father in an attempt to “save his mother” who was being physically abused.
The horrific ordeal happened at around 10.30pm on Monday in the parish of Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo.
According to Jornal de Notícias, the young man tried to stop his father from attacking his mother, which only escalated the violence as the father is said to have started beating his son too.
This is when the young man is reported to have “lost his temper,” says JN, adding that he opened a kitchen drawer to grab a knife which he used to stab his father seven times in the chest and abdomen.
The newspaper adds that GNR police in Tavira were alerted to the incident by a phonecall from the house where the attack took place, although it is unclear if if it was the mother or son who made the call.
The young man immmediately turned himself in as GNR officers arrived at the scene, while the mother is said to have felt unwell and was taken to the hospital. The son will await trial in jail as he was remanded in custody.
JN adds that the father had already been identified by police for other cases of domestic violence, although the family is reported to have tried to “keep the situation behind closed doors”.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
