Carer spared jailed for trying to kill chronically-ill husband » Health » 24dash.com

A carer who strangled her chronically-ill husband with a dressing gown cord, pushed him into a bath and beat him with his walking stick was spared jail today after a judge heard that the pressure of looking after him had "boiled up" inside her.

Shirley Watts, 61, called police, saying she had "tried to kill" husband of 25 years Michael Watts, who has rheumatoid arthritis, by clubbing him as he flailed in the water.

A judge at Bristol Crown Court said he understood the difficulties faced by Mrs Watts, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, who had washed, dressed and lifted her husband out of bed for five years.

Mrs Watts was sentenced to 100 hours' unpaid work with two years' probation supervision, after admitting three counts of making threats to kill.

Prosecutor Derek Ryder said Mr Watts, 60, had "relied totally" on his wife's care after being diagnosed with arthritis and undergoing a double hip replacement.

The strain of supporting Mr Watts for five years spilled over on Christmas Day last year at their home in Leckhampton, Mr Ryder said.

Mrs Watts was sitting on his knee before taking the cord from her dressing-gown and pulling it tight around his neck for a couple of seconds, saying "I'm going to kill you."

After a tearful apology, the pair, who have known each other since they were five, went to sleep in their separate beds.

On Boxing Day, Mrs Watts, a shop worker, put a pillow over her husband's face and "spread herself across him", Mr Ryder said.

She repeated her threat to end his life, before they rolled on to the floor.

Mr Watts escaped with minor cuts and reddening on those occasions, but two day later his wife again became enraged, pushing him off his bathing seat and into the water.

Mr Ryder said: "She tried to push him down into the water and directed the shower spray into his face and mouth, causing him to splutter. She then went to call the police for help.

"He was unable to get out of the bath without assistance. She returned to the bathroom and struck him across the head with his metal walking stick, saying 'I'm going to kill you!'"

The court heard the desperate call she made to police, which said: "I'm Shirley Watts. I want you to come and get me because I've just tried to kill my husband.

"He's stuck in the bath and I can't get him out. I just tried to drown him and I couldn't do it. Please come and get me, please come and get me."

Mr Ryder said the police arrived quickly and that Mr Watts had suffered a cut head and bruises to his arms.