Killer, 88, who smothered wife ‘asked for forgiveness’

An 88-year-old man wrote a note asking for forgiveness after he unlawfully killed his wife of more than 60 years, in a case a judge described as “tragic”.

- DAVE HIGGENS

Bristol Crown Court was told that William Haxworth was charged with murdering his wife, Delia, but he has been deemed to be unfit to stand trial.

On Tuesday, a jury decided that Haxworth, who was not present in court, “did the acts charged against him”.

The jurors had been told by Judge William Hart that, because he had determined the defendant was unfit, they did not have to decide whether he was guilty or not guilty of murder.

Judge Hart told the jury after it returned its finding: “I’m sure you share my view, and anybody would agree, that this is a tragic case no matter where you come from and how you look at it.

“And the friends and family of William and Delia deserve nothing but our sympathy and condolences.”

The court heard how the defendant, who was 87 at the time, was spotted by members of the public threatening to jump from the top of scaffolding in the centre of Bath on 18 June 2024.

Andrew Langdon KC, prosecuting, said Haxworth told firefighters and those trying to help him that he had murdered his wife.

Police went to the couple’s home in Upper Lansdown Mews, in the city, where they found Ms Haxworth, 85, “lifeless” on a bed, Mr Langdon said.