HULL PENSIONER JAILED FOR ATTACK WITH BLEACH AND BREAD KNIFE
An 81-year-old man has been incarcerated following a violent assault against his son-in-law, involving a bread knife and the act of throwing bleach.The incident occurred early in the morning on October 18 when Charles Goucher, a pensioner from East Yorkshire, arrived unannounced at the victim’s residence and suddenly lost composure.
His stepdaughter was alarmed upon hearing her husband shouting, 'What are you doing?' and exclaiming, 'Oh, God, he has a knife.' According to court proceedings at Hull Crown Court, Goucher’s son-in-law believed he was about to be killed, fearing for his life unless his wife intervened.
She did so courageously, managing to fend off Goucher, but sustained multiple injuries from the struggle, including knife wounds.
The woman described Goucher shouting, 'I am going to f***ing kill you, you b*****d,' towards her husband, and throwing an object she initially thought was tea but was later identified as bleach.
Goucher, then 80 years old, carried a serrated bread knife in his pocket during the attack.
Bleach was spilled during the altercation, contaminating the floor.
Both Goucher’s son-in-law and wife tried to disarm him, suffering injuries in the process.
The stepdaughter eventually called emergency services, describing her stepfather as having 'lost it' with blood everywhere.
She reported that Goucher shouted, 'You have robbed me.
You have coned me,' despite no evidence of any theft or deception.
Fearing for their lives, the couple fled the scene.
Goucher was attempting to escape when police arrived, kicking the door as he left.
He was found with blood on his face and carrying a large piece of wood near the front door, and was subsequently admitted to hospital.
His wife and son-in-law received treatment for cuts, bruises, and bleach-related skin irritation at Hull Royal Infirmary.
The victim expressed feelings of betrayal and confusion after decades of knowing Goucher.
He and his wife had supported Goucher and her family throughout the pandemic, never expecting such violence.
The attack left him with both physical scars and psychological trauma, including disturbed sleep and night terrors.
His wife also endured emotional and physical pain, experiencing anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, and constant reminders of her scars.
She recalled a family dinner the previous day where Goucher, once a much-loved great-grandfather, sat thanking everyone, making the betrayal even more painful.
Goucher, now 81 and living in Bransholme, Hull, admitted to two charges of wounding with intent and possessing a knife on October 18.
The attempted murder charge was dropped.
He was sentenced to three years in prison and placed under an indefinite restraining order.
With no prior criminal record, he showed no emotion as he was taken into custody.
Judge John Thackray KC described the attack as 'most horrific,' citing the use of a 'highly dangerous weapon' and some premeditation.
The incident took place within the victims’ home, a space where they should have felt secure.
The judge noted that the injuries could have been more severe and emphasized the lasting trauma and physical scars suffered by the victims, underscoring the profound and long-lasting impact of this violent assault.
