Michael Martin tied up and forced to watch as his father Michael Martin Sr was murdered at South Murwillumbah

A TERRIFIED man was strapped to a chair and forced to watch on as his father was murdered at South Murwillumbah in far north-eastern New South Wales yesterday morning. Michael Martin, 25, arrived in the small town only hours earlier to help his dad, Michael Martin Sr, move after a brutal home invasion in April had left the 46-year-old fighting for his life. In that attack the older man was stabbed in the eye and this was the first time he had returned to the home since. Family friends said the pair had not wanted to stay in the Quarry Rd home, intending to just gather some belongings and leave, but lost track of time. Forensic officers examine the scene. Both men were asleep when intruders forced their way into the house and caught them by surprise about 3am. Mr Martin Jr was tied to a chair while his father was attacked. It is believed the 46-year-old was stabbed a

number of times as his son could do nothing but watch in

horror. The young father-of-three tried desperately to free himself, but could do nothing to save his father. For the next two hours Mr Martin Jr struggled to break free before the alarm was finally raised by a member of the public just before dawn. Police said the first call came in at 5.10am and officers arrived to find Mr Martin Sr dead. They have refused to confirm how he died, or what weapons were used. Yesterday Mr Martin Jr’s wife was frantically trying to make her way to Murwillumbah from their Lockyer Valley home to be with her traumatised husband.

Mr Martin Sr had three children, was on a disability pension

and was planning to move in with family.