An 88-year-old man has been spared jail after smothering his wife to death in their Bath home.
William Haxworth killed his wife Delia Haxworth, who was 87 at the time, in June last year. The two had been married for more than 60 years.
At Bristol Crown Court on Friday, Judge William Hart handed down a two-year supervision order and ordered Haxworth to undergo medical treatment.
Haxworth, who was 87 when he committed the crime, was spotted by members of the public threatening to jump from scaffolding on 18 June 2024.
He told those trying to help him that he had murdered his wife and that she had been “very ill”, adding: “I had to kill her and now it’s my turn.”
Mrs Haxworth was taken to hospital around three weeks before her death after a fall in which she struck her head, but those injuries are not believed to have played a role in her death.
She had previously been treated for bowel cancer, but but there was no evidence of it recurring.
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When police went to the couple’s home in Upper Lansdown Mews, Bath, they found Mrs Haxworth, 85, “lifeless” on a bed.
The court heard a note was found, apparently written by her husband, which said: “It all became too much.
“Please forgive me and wonderful Dil.
“It all seemed lacking in point. You’ve all been so wonderful too. And so many kind neighbours.
“Forgive. Forgive. Will.”
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The court heard a post-mortem examination revealed that Mrs Haxworth had been smothered.
Judge Hart told the jurors that he had determined the defendant was unfit to stand trial and they did not have to decide whether he was guilty or not guilty of murder.
Judge Hart described the case as “tragic” and said Haxworth had a “genuine belief” that his wife was suffering from a terminal illness.
“I know that during the period since these proceedings started you made another attempt on your life, which has led to spending some time in hospital,” he told the defendant.
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“I want to express my condolences to all who cared for and loved Delia, and indeed to all those who care for and love you.”
He made a two-year supervision order, under which Haxworth will be overseen by both a probation officer and a clinical supervisor.
