Man sentenced 40 years after knocking sister's teeth out in row over Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

A man has been bought to justice almost 40 years after he punched his younger sister in the face in a row over a Christmas record. A court heard Patrick Ackroyd hit sister Anita in the face as they had teenage disagreement in December 1975 over the John Lennon song Happy Christmas (War is Over).

Leeds Crown Court heard the victim lost her two front teeth as a result of the single blow and has had to wear a dental plate ever since. After the attack Ackroyd and the victim were told by their mother to lie about what happened if they were questioned by medical staff when she was taken to hospital. The youngster told medics she had had an accident.



Leeds Crown Court heard the attack, which took place at the family home, had not come to the attention until decades later. Officers were told about the incident as they were conducting enquiries about an unrelated mater. Jon Gregg, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was interviewed in February 2012 and admitted punching his sister in the mouth and causing the injuries.” Ackroyd, now 61, of Tingley, West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Marcus Waite, mitigating, said Ackroyd had no other convictions before or since the attack. Mr Waite said it was one punch thrown in anger many years ago and he regretted what he had done. He added: “He acted in a manner he ought not to have done.” Mr Justice Males said: “It was a single punch. You have had no convictions before or since and it appears to have been an isolated incident.” Ackroyd was given a two month prison sentence, suspended for one year.