NSW: Father admits murdering son after argument over dog

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2008
NSW: Father admits murdering son after argument over dog

By Margaret Scheikowski

SYDNEY, April 15 AAP - A Sydney man has pleaded guilty to the shooting murder of his
son after they argued about the younger man's dog, Malley.

According to a crown case statement tendered in the NSW Supreme Court, Gregory Mark
Howard earlier brandished a knife at his son's throat during the heated argument.

Howard, 51, of Punchbowl, in Sydney's south west, pleaded guilty to murdering Jacob
Digby, 23, on August 19, 2006.

The pair lived across the road from each other and the shooting occurred outside the
father's home.

The crown statement said the father, the son and a neighbour had gone into a nearby
service station, when Mr Digby instructed Malley to sit at the front door.

When Howard came out first, he moved the dog away from the spot where his son had left it.

After the son came out, he got into a heated argument with his father about moving
Malley, an argument captured on closed-circuit video.

"During the course of the argument (Howard) brandished a knife at the throat of (his
son)," the statement said.

After the son returned home, he was heard to say, "Dad's giving me the shits again,"

before going over to the home of his father, who lived with his mother - the son's grandmother.

He told his grandmother about the argument and walked outside, shortly before she heard
two loud noises.

Howard then came into the house, saying, "I've killed Jake".

According to the crown statement, about 20 minutes after the service station incident
Mr Digby had texted his father, saying, "Have some balls".

Pat Barrett, for the Crown, said Mr Digby had been shot in the chest and, when he was
on the ground, in the head.

John Gordon, for Howard, said father and son had been drinking most of the day.

He also referred to Howard's record, which included drink driving, and gun offences
which involved drinking.

Justice Robert Hulme remanded Howard in custody and will hear sentencing submissions on July 4.

AAP mss/wjf/maur/bwl

KEYWORD: DIGBY

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