A Wigton man was found guilty of murdering his father, 73-year-old Stanley Smith, in what Cumbria Police described as a ‘tragic case’.

The verdict follows a trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

Brian Smith, aged 33, Wigton denied charges of murder.

However, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the murder of Stanley on Wednesday, July 29.

Smith is due to be sentenced on August 7, 2026.

Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) Steven Byrne said: “Today’s verdict brings to a close a deeply tragic case in which a son took the life of his own father.

“While nothing can change what happened, today’s result ensures that Brian Smith has been held accountable for his actions.

“This case involved a significant amount of investigative work, including forensic examination, witness accounts and detailed enquiries by detectives.

“I would like to thank all those who contributed to the investigation and helped us build the evidence that secured this conviction.”