Husband, 88, unlawfully killed wife in 'tragic case'

AN 88-YEAR-OLD man unlawfully killed his wife of more than 60 years by smothering her in their home, a jury has decided, in what a judge described as a “tragic case”.

- DAVE HIGGENS

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

Yesterday, 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 June 18, 2024.