Ivan Deak: Supreme Court told of ‘unique’ circumstances of dad’s bashing

A court has been told of the “unique” circumstances that led to man assaulting his dementia-suffering father, just days before the 86-year-old died.

The Supreme Court of Victoria. Picture: David Crosling

A court has heard a man who bashed his Lethbridge father days before the 86-year-old had a stroke and died “lost control” while drinking after his mother’s death.

Ivan Deak, 62, appeared in the Victorian Superme Court on Thursday for a plea hearing before Justice John Champion.

The Glenpatrick man pleaded guilty to intentionally causing serious injury after bashing his father, Ivan Deak Sr, in Lethbridge on August 6, 2022.

Mr Deak Sr, who haddementia, died three days later in hospital after suffering a stroke.

Prosecutor Angela Moran told the court the violent assault “took place in a highly emotional setting”, and described the family home as a “tinder box”.

The victim was described in court as an aggressive man with an “explosive temper”.

Both the prosecution and the defence agreed the attack took place in unique circumstances.

Just hours earlier Deak’s mother – the victim’s wife – had died.

Deak had been drinking with his brother when an argument broke out between Deak and his father.

A scuffle ensued and Mr Deak Sr was later taken to hospital, bleeding from the forehead, nose and eyes.

He remained in the hospital until his death.

Deak was initially charged with murder but the charge was downgraded.

Ms Moran said a vacuum pole, which was found covered in blood at the scene, was handled after the assault and not used during the attack.

The attack has split the family, with one of Deak’s sisters supporting him, along with his father’s brother and cousins, while his brother and other sister have cut ties and both had victim impact statements read to the court.

Before the assault there had been a number of times when Mr Deak Sr had threatened Deak and others with violence, the court heard.

The older man was shaky on his feet and sometimes walked slowly but up until a month before his death was still strong enough to lug around 20kg wheat bags.

Mr Deak Sr had consistently refused treatment for his dementia, despite the family’s efforts and “increasing frustration”, the court heard.

Deak’s lawyer, barrister Sarah Thomas, said her client grew up in an environment of “physical abuse, mental abuse, neglect and dysfunctional family dynamics”.

Deak was the “whipping boy” and bore the brunt of his father’s aggression as the eldest.

He developed an stutter and left home at 16.

The family lived at an isolated property in Lethbridge, the court heard, with no flushing toilet.

Ms Thomas said the assault was out of character and in the years leading up to the bashing, her client had suffered “many traumas”, including the breakdown of his relationship, a house fire, the loss of his dog and the death his beloved aunt.

These blows, coupled with the death of his mother, a history of abuse and trauma at the hands of his father, and his alcohol abuse led to the offending, Ms Thomas said.

“Ultimately, Mr Deak lost control,” Ms Thomas said.

Deak will be sentenced at a later date.

Originally published as Ivan Deak: Supreme Court told of ‘unique’ circumstances of dad’s bashing