Brendon Farrow: Son threatens to kill his father after leaving him injured during a physical altercation

A 21-year-old man from Lightning Ridge was warned about his actions after he was sentenced in Dubbo Local Court after threatening to kill his father. Read what the magistrate had to say.

A young Lightning Ridge man who threatened to kill his father and burn his camp down has been sentenced for domestic violence related charges in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

Brendon Farrow, 21 appeared in court via audio visual link from custody after he was arrested on Monday following an altercation with his father.

According to court documents, Farrow has been residing at his father’s “camp” on the fringes of Lightning Ridge, however this occurred without his father’s permission.

“Between January 2022 and August 2022, (Farrow) has caused considerable damage to the camp structure, including smashing all the windows, cutting shade cloths and damaging interior walls,” police facts state.

“(His father) has requested (for him to) take steps to repair the damages however (he) refuses, preferring to antagonise and threaten (his father) whenever the issue is raised.”

On Monday, Farrow was “intoxicated” when he attended his father’s current residential address on Windlass Avenue in Lightning Ridge, discussing the damages caused to the camp.

Dubbo Local Court where Brendon Farrow appeared via audio visual link as he was sentenced on Wednesday.

The conversation deteriorated and physical violence ensued with the father telling police that Farrow “attacked” him while throwing several punches “with considerable force”.

“As a result of one punch, the victim sustained a large protruding bruise to the forehead which caused him to experience significant localised pain,” court documents reveal.

The two were separated by an “unrelated party” and police were called to the scene.

While police made their way to the property, Farrow threatened his father, saying “I’ll kill you when I get let out … I’ll burn your camp down”.

When police arrived, tensions were still high as Farrow needed to be physically restrained from his father as police feared the “continuation of his violent outburst”.

Farrow was arrested and taken to Lightning Ridge Police Station and entered into custody.

“At (the) police station (Farrow) displayed no contrition for his afternoon’s actions and maintained a poor attitude towards his father and arresting police,” police facts state.

Farrow remained in custody where he appeared in front of Magistrate Greg Grogin, submitting guilty pleas to domestic violence related assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intimidating with the intention of causing fear, and intentionally or recklessly damaging property.

The court heard from Farrow’s lawyer Bridget Byrnes that it was her client’s first time in custody and that it was the first adult matter on his record.

Ms Byrnes continued her submission raising Farrow’s struggles with mental health throughout his life, in which he has continually sought help to address his issues.

“He is someone who acknowledges he has issues with alcohol … it doesn’t excuse the behaviour but (it) does provide context,” Ms Byrnes told the court.

While her client was in court for his own domestic violence related actions, Ms Byrnes said Farrow was a victim himself growing up with his father and mother which led him moving into foster care.

When asked by Magistrate Grogin about whether Farrow should be made to abstain from alcohol, Ms Byrnes cautioned against this condition.

“Given he acknowledges his (issues), I would be concerned it would be setting him up to fail,” Ms Byrnes said.

Although she requested for Magistrate Grogin to impose a condition for Farrow to not see his father, despite Lightning Ridge being a small town.

“It seems to be quite a volatile relationship with his dad,” Magistrate Grogin said.

He continued speaking directly to Farrow warning the 21-year-old about his action’s saying if he continues down this path he may end up staying in custody for a lengthy period in the future.

While telling Magistrate Grogin that he is currently unemployed, Farrow said he is “looking for anything to get me off my feet”.

Magistrate Grogin accepted the early plea of guilty entered by Farrow, recording a community corrections order with conviction for 14 months for each of the offences.

Farrow was also fined $550 and must abstain from alcohol for the next four months.

“Sounds like something I can do,” Farrow told Magistrate Grogin.