Man sentenced following tragic death of ill wife

A man has been given a suspended prison sentence following the death of his wife after pleading guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. John Woodbridge, 92, was arrested after the death of 92-year-old Anne Woodbridge in Weston-super-Mare on January 30. Avon and Somerset Police officers were called by Mrs Woodbridge's carers that morning, after they were unable to access the couple's property on Ashcombe Road as they normally would several times a day.

Sadly Mrs Woodbridge was found deceased at the scene. A post-mortem exam found she had suffocated to death. Woodbridge was initially charged with murder[1] but following medical assessment a guilty plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility was accepted.

Judge Pushpinder Singh said Woodbridge, who was himself ill, was 'overwhelmed' by his wife's dementia and deteriorating health. In his sentencing remarks, Judge Singh noted the defendant himself was not able to 'form rational judgement' due to illness. He also accepted Woodbridge was of previous good character.

Woodbridge was sentenced today (December 22) at Bristol Crown Court.

He was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender said: "The circumstances behind Anne Woodbridge's death are incredibly tragic and our heartfelt thoughts go out to her family and friends."

References

1. ^ Woodbridge was initially charged with murder (www.somersetlive.co.uk)