Machete attack sentencing pushed back

The 72-year-old man, convicted last week of attempted murder for a brutal machete attack on his nephew, was to be in court Thursday for a hearing where lawyers will make their submissions on sentence.

But, at the request of the defence, Ontario Court Justice Andrew Buttazzoni agreed to a two-week adjournment.

He found Duplin guilty of the charge on Nov. 30,  calling the unprovoked attack "vicious, violent and sustained."

Larry Paquette was asleep in a recliner in his Rupert Acres Drive home, when he awoke to his "favourite uncle" striking him in the head with a large machete.

The Aweres Township man told the court he was struck 22 times - seven blows to head and 15 to his hands and arms as he tried to defend himself - in the June 7, 2016 assault.

He received numerous serious fractures to his skull, tendons in his arms were severed, his arm was broken in two or three places, and a part of his left index finger was cut off.

The assault occurred after the pair had spent the day drinking beer and smoking weed.

EDITOR'S NOTE: SooToday does not permit comments on court stories