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Song Info
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MP3
MP3 3.0 MB • 128 kbps • 3:15
Story behind the song
Wife Killer, 100, Spared Prison
A 100-year-old former butcher has been spared a prison sentence for killing his wife after the judge accepted his plea of diminished responsibility.
Bernard Heginbotham pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court on Thursday to the manslaughter of his wife, Ida.
She was living at a nursing home in Preesall, Lancashire, and in poor health when her husband slit her throat, the court was told.
Mrs Heginbotham was found by staff at the home on 1 April.
Her husband cried in court as he was given a 12 month community rehabilitation order.
Mr Justice Leveson said it was clear Mr Heginbotham had been a devoted husband during their 67-year marriage.
His 87-year-old wife was found with a single knife wound to her throat.
The couple, who lived in Preesall, near Blackpool, had raised six children together.
Your feelings of guilt and remorse have been truly overwhelming
Mr Justice Leveson
Hilary Banks, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Heginbotham had become dependent on her husband after she had been hurt in several falls.
She was in need of specialist care and had been moved between different care homes.
The court heard how he had become upset as his son, Neville, told him in a telephone conversation that his wife was to be moved to another care home.
"He admitted that he went to the home with a weapon and injured his wife which resulted in her death," Ms Banks said.
"He didn't want his wife to be moved again and didn't think she was going to receive the care he wanted her to have."
Mr Heginbotham was arrested by Lancashire Police on suspicion of murder at his home on 1 April, where he was found to have attempted suicide.
When he was arrested, he told officers: "My poor Ida."
On sentencing, the judge said: "Bernard Heginbotham, the killing of your wife, to whom you had been married joyously for some 67 years, followed by your attempt to take your own life, was an act of desperation.
"It was carried out in an effort to end her suffering while you were under intolerable pressure.
"It was in truth, an act of love and I have no doubt you suffered a medical disorder at the time and the responsibility which you bear is substantially reduced.
"It was, as you will well know, a terrible thing to do but I accept entirely the circumstances in which you did it and your feelings of guilt and remorse have been truly overwhelming."
'Tragedy for everyone'
Det Insp Phil Burke said: "It's difficult when you see a man like that in court but at the end of the day he's killed his wife and I think it's right that he comes to court and the court have got the range of sentences available to decide in controlled circumstances what is to be done."
Family solicitor Alan Godwin said they were relieved the case was over and thanked all involved.
He added: "Their hope now is that their father will be allowed to spend what time remains to him privately and peacefully in the company of his family."
A spokesperson for Age Concern said: "This is a tragedy for everyone concerned. The impact of home moves can be devastating for older people. Older people are often forced to move from a home where they are comfortable as their health deteriorates.
"There needs to be greater flexibility to ensure that, where possible, additional services are put in place to enable a person to stay where they are."
Lyrics
WAIT WITH OPEN ARMS FOR ME
(John Rowan & Martin Ashurst)
With strength you bear your suffering but in your face I see the strain
It hurts that I can do nothing but sit and watch your pain
And everything I remember, it’s all revolved ‘round you
To end a lifetime together is the hardest thing to do.
You’ve endured more than I could know took it all so patiently
We shall be together in another world wait with open arms for me.
The struggle going on inside of me, even I don’t understand
Everything I want to live on, I have to end with my own hand
To put you through another world of hurt is more than I could ask
Now I have to do what no man should, oh God I hate this task
You must know there is no wrong or right, no justice I can see
We shall be together in another world wait with open arms for me.
I have to make the decision now to commit the hardest act
And to do it the only way I know, it’s so hard but it’s a fact
Others they may judge me barbaric and so low
But only you have loved me and only you can know
I take this upon myself and what will be will be
We shall be together in another world wait with open arms for me.
We shall be together in another world wait with open arms for me.
Open arms for me.
