Boy died as father showed him how to stab someone

[OpenMind]

As I understand it, accidental death caused by another is manslaughter. Nonetheless, this is very tragic for the father left with the memory.



Boy died as father showed him how to stab someone

By Stewart Payne

(Filed: 07/07/2006)

A boy of 11 died after he was accidentally stabbed in the heart by his police officer father during a "play-fight", an inquest was told yesterday.

Ian Johnson, 40, was preparing swordfish steaks after drinking a bottle of wine when he started to mess about with his son Conor.



Mr Johnson said in a written statement to the inquest at Worthing, West Sussex, that his son had playfully started kicking his legs and pinching his bottom.

He grabbed his son, saying he would demonstrate how gladiators killed people by stabbing them in the neck.

In his statement he said he twisted the boy round and, as he did so, the knife, which had a four-inch blade, entered Conor's chest. "I said, 'Oh my God. Sorry Conor'. The cut was just above his right nipple. It was very small. I said, 'Don't worry.' "

"My first reaction was very selfish. I thought his mum is going to kill me when she sees this because it is going to need one or two stitches. Conor was worried and was panicking. I said, 'Look in my eyes.' I said, 'It will be all right.' I was a dad playing with his kid."

Mr Johnson, from Littlehampton, who is divorced from Conor's mother, called the emergency services and his son was taken to Worthing Hospital but died four hours later from the single stab wound to the heart.

Dr Phillipa Fabb, a junior anaesthetist, said she had asked Mr Johnson what had happened. She said he was describing to Conor some sort of tribal killing when the boy "slipped forward on to the knife".

Mr Johnson was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He told officers: "I want to put the record straight. We had been together all day and had a lovely day.

"We were just messing about. It was an accident. Why would I want to stab my son?"

The Crown Prosecution Service did not bring charges.

Because of his trauma, Mr Johnson, a Sussex police constable, was admitted to a psychiatric hospital.

His ex-wife Sharon, 51, a nurse, described her son's relationship with his father as "excellent".

She said Mr Johnson had a passion for self-sufficiency and took Conor on camping trips to teach him how to live off the land and track animals.

She said he had a "great respect" for knives.

Martin Milward, the deputy coroner for West Sussex, said Mr Johnson's actions had been "extremely foolish".

The father had failed in his parental duty of care, he said. But Mr Milward accepted that what had happened was a tragic accident.

"I find there was a duty of care and there was a breach of that duty and that the breach caused the death," he said.

"The difficult problem is whether that error of judgment is of such magnitude that it can be described as criminal.

"While it is extremely foolish for any person to use a knife in such a manner and in such -circumstances, particularly when combined with the consumption of alcohol, I do not find the -negligence has crossed the line so as to be characterised as criminal.

"I am satisfied that accidental death is the correct verdict."

[chrisb84uk]

That is such a sad story, I feel so sorry for the family involved, what a tragic event this must have been for them both, my heart goes out to them.

[LilacDragon]

I am at a loss for words. What a tragic accident.

[Sheryl]

tmbsgrl wrote: I don't get why a father would try to show his 11 year old son (step-son at that) how to stab someone! Is that something that they need to know? If he was trying to show how the gladiators stabbed in the neck-how did the knife end up in his heart? Kids don't just fall onto knifes! Even though it was an accident I think he should be punished somewhat!:-3 A little boy lost his life for a reason that could have been prevented!


I didn't see where it said he was a step-son, could ya point that out to me?

Also the father was doing what dads do, roughhousing with his kid. I know it was wrong to introduce a knife into play, but the dad's feeling guilit enough. Espicially if he's been admitted to a psychiatry hospital.

[OpenMind]

It appears that there was a very close bond between the boy and his father. The whole thing was an absolute and unintended accident. In this respect the father has suffered not only the loss of his son, but the guilt of his own carelessness. He had drunk a bottle of wine, and I am impressed that the father has spoken honestly about the event (albeit, he lied at first in his initial panic).

It may appear morally wrong to show a child how to stab someone. On the other hand, society believes in quickly teaching the young how to defend themselves and how to use weapons. This is not immoral but very practical in a world full of human monsters who prey on young and old alike. Not only that, but if taught at a young age, it can be shown that children are usually more mature about weapons, fighting, and life in general. They develop a healthy self-confidence that is sorely lacking in so many people these days.

I can't help thinking, though, that if the father wasn't a policeman, he would have been more harshly dealt with at court.

[anastrophe]

tmbsgrl wrote: I don't get why a father would try to show his 11 year old son how to stab someone! Is that something that they need to know? If he was trying to show how the gladiators stabbed in the neck-how did the knife end up in his heart? Kids don't just fall onto knifes! Even though it was an accident I think he should be punished somewhat!:-3 A little boy lost his life for a reason that could have been prevented!


losing his son is sufficient punishment. he'll bear the guilt and pain of that the rest of his life.

[BabyRider]

anastrophe wrote: losing his son is sufficient punishment. he'll bear the guilt and pain of that the rest of his life.
Totally, 100% agreed. That poor man. :-1

[Rapunzel]

OpenMind wrote: It may appear morally wrong to show a child how to stab someone. On the other hand, society believes in quickly teaching the young how to defend themselves and how to use weapons. This is not immoral but very practical in a world full of human monsters who prey on young and old alike. Not only that, but if taught at a young age, it can be shown that children are usually more mature about weapons, fighting, and life in general. They develop a healthy self-confidence that is sorely lacking in so many people these days.

I can't help thinking, though, that if the father wasn't a policeman, he would have been more harshly dealt with at court.


It may appear morally wrong?? That's because it IS morally wrong! Surely if you teach a child to use a knife he will either (a) take the knife into school and stab someone or (b) teach a mate the same trick and then HE will stab someone! Children are not old enough to be aware of the implications but that doesn't stop a death from occurring when you put a knife in a child's hands!!!

I'm part of society, I don't believe in teaching my children how to use weapons, and i don't know anyone who does. However, I DO know that if kids DIDN'T have weapons, Damilola Taylor would still be alive today, and so would the head teacher of St Georges School in Maida Vale!

Healthy self-confidence does not come from being taught how to wield a weapon!

However, I DO agree that he would probably have been dealt with more harshly if he wasn't a copper!

[chonsigirl]

No matter what, the poor child died.

[Peg]

If the man were not a cop, no doubt in my mind charges would have been pressed. Sure, it may have been an accident, but it was so stupid and senseless. Let's teach the child how to stab a person. Real intelligent to teach something like that any time especially when you have been drinking.:-5

[Sheryl]

You know it was dumb of the father to use a real knife. However I see absolutely nothing wrong with teaching a child about self defense. My son will learn how to fight if not my husband teaching him, then my dad or my nephew who's a Marine. And don't get me wrong my son will not be taught to fight to start the fights, but for self defense.

And furthermore, how's a parent teaching a child how to defend themself any different than a child taking lessons in martial arts of some form.

[BabyRider]

Rapunzel wrote:

I'm part of society, I don't believe in teaching my children how to use weapons, and i don't know anyone who does.
Yes you do. Me. I have taught my son to safely use and handle guns and guess what? He hasn't gone and shot anyone yet!!

Learning to do something like use weapons is just as character building as learning any other difficult craft or hobby. It gives a sense of accomplishment, and does build self-confidence. It did with me, and I'm doing the same with my son. He will also learn how to handle a bow and arrow, and knives as well as all types of guns. If children do not understand, respect and know about weapons, there is actually a greater likelihood of them injuring themselves or someone else.

[Peg]

But is this something you would teach them after drinking a bottle of wine?

[BabyRider]

Peg wrote: But is this something you would teach them after drinking a bottle of wine?
Nope, sure isn't.