Killer's father admits 'mistakes'

Roger Aston has had no contact with his son

The father of a Birmingham crack addict who murdered two war veterans, will appear on a BBC documentary and admit he made serious mistakes as a parent.

The programme, My Son the Killer, tracks Andrew Aston's life from child to murderer.

The 29-year-old was convicted in February 2002 of beating 87-year-old George Dale and 80-year-old Francis Hobley to death as well as staging a three-month crime wave in Birmingham.

He was given 26 life sentences for his crimes.

'Changed attitude'

At the time, his father Roger Aston called for him to be hanged.

In the documentary, to be shown on BBC One on Thursday night, Mr Aston says he ignored signs that his son was having serious problems.

Andrew Aston was given 26 life sentences for his crimes

"I didn't recognise what Andrew was telling me," he said.

"He was giving me a message saying 'Dad I am not right in whatever way, shape or form'.

"Had I picked up on that, then I could have changed my attitude to Andrew even down to his corporal punishment."

Mr Aston, who has had no contact with his son since he gave evidence against him, added: "I was always brought up with corporal punishment and saw no problem with my father and had no regrets.

"Hence what was good for me, I thought was good for my children."

Since his son's imprisonment, Mr Aston has set up a drugs prevention charity and written a book.