Mercy-killing daughter is spared prison

A WOMAN who killed her terminally-ill father has been allowed to walk free from court with a two-year suspended sentence by a judge who told her: "I recognise I have taken a merciful course."

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Lisa Davenport, 55, smothered Barrie Davenport, 88, with a pillow at his home in Banbury, Oxfordshire, in October 2022.

Oxford Crown Court heard Mr Davenport had been suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer and was in a great deal of pain during his final few hours of life.

John Price KC, prosecuting, said that staff at Mr Davenport's retirement complex and a doctor did not suspect foul play because his death was expected to be imminent.