GUILTY UK - Ida Heginbotham, 87, murdered, Preesall, Lancs, 1 April 2004

Casshew said:

A 99-year-old man has been charged with murdering an 87-year-old woman at an old people's home.

The dead woman was found with neck wounds at the Kepplegate residential home, in Preesall, Lancashire, on Thursday.

Mr Heginbotham, of Beechfield Avenue, Preesall was brought before Fleetwood magistrates wrapped in a thermal blanket. He was allowed to sit in the well of the court and not in the glass sided dock because he is hard of hearing.

Chairman of the bench Sandra O'Donnell said because of the case's tragic and unique circumstances and because of Mr Heginbotham's age he would not be remanded in custody.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/lancashire/3594903.stm

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Bernard Heginbotham, 100, is thought to be the oldest person in Britain to be convicted of manslaughter. He admitted killing his 87-year-old wife, Ida, but pleaded diminished responsibility...

Heginbotham had nursed her through her illnesses - she had arthritis, two hip replacements and a number of falls. As her health worsened, she became more dependent on her husband. He slit her throat after he learned that she was about to be transferred.

He wept yesterday as he was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order by Mr Justice Leveson at Preston crown court.

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