TONIGHT TOMORROW
45p 75p Thursday September 19, 2019
6°C(43°F) 21°C(70°F)
Tel: 01902 31 31 31
Sunset: 7.15pm Sunrise: 6.48am
MIDLANDS NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR
WIFE FOUND NOT GUILTY OF KILLING Report by Marion Brennan
A PENSIONER has been
cleared of murdering her terminally ill husband in a “mercy killing” after they took an overdose of drugs in a suicide pact.
Mavis Eccleston, aged 80, broke down in the dock as the jury also found her not guilty of the manslaughter of 81-year-old Dennis Cleared – Mavis Eccleston Eccleston at their Cannock home the overdose administered by Mavis last year. The couple, who were married for nearly 60 years, had talked constantly to their family of “going together” after Dennis was diagnosed with endstage bowel cancer in 2015, and left a suicide note explaining their intention. But the prosecution based their case around an admission by Mavis to nurses the day after Dennis’ death that he had not known she was giving him a lethal cocktail of tablets. She later told police he had told her to do it and was fully aware of what he was taking. The couple were discovered unconscious at their bungalow in Raven Close, Huntington, on February 19 last year. Former pitman Dennis, who had signed ‘do not resuscitate’ forms, died the following day but his wife survived after being given an antidote in hospital. Stafford Crown Court heard that the couple were put in adjoining beds and held hands as Dennis passed away. The defence argued that this had been a suicide pact, ruling out murder although allowing a verdict of manslaughter. However a medical expert cast doubt on the prosecution’s assertion that death had been caused by
Eccleston. Professor Safa Al-Sarraj, a consultant neurologist, told the jury it was more likely that death was caused by the palliative use of morphine in hospital to ease Mr Eccleston’s pain, or a combination of the two lots of drugs. Giving evidence during the 10-day trial, Mavis Eccleston described how on the night of the overdose her husband had begged her to fetch medication from the cupboard and that it was “understood between them” what that meant. He had kissed her hand in thanks after she had told him she would “go with his wishes” to die. After they had both taken the medication, she had kissed her husband and said “goodnight darling” before going to lie on the sofa. The jury of eight men and four women took four hours to reach their unanimous decisions on both counts, which mean they believe that Dennis Eccleston took the lethal overdose himself in the full knowledge of the outcome. His wife gasped as the verdicts were announced before breaking into sobs. After the verdict, daughter Joy
Munn read a statement in behalf of the family saying their parents were “absolutely devoted to each other”. She said: “In February last year our dad was terminally ill with bowel cancer. He had been extremely ill for some time and was suffering intense physical pain, alongside symptoms he found distressing and undignified. He had expressed for many months a wish to end his life in order to avoid more suffering and a prolonged death, but he was too ill to travel to Switzerland. “Our mom did not wish to live without him, her husband, the love of her life, and so she took an overdose together with him. Our parents’ love for each other was so clear that hospital staff pushed their beds together so that mom and dad could hold hands and face each other during our dad’s final hours. “Our family are grateful and relieved that the jury in this case could also recognise our mom’s love for our dad. But since dad’s death our family has been through a terrible ordeal, waiting over 18 months for this court case, worrying that having already lost our dad to cancer, we might now see our mom imprisoned.” She added: “We do not believe this needed to happen. If there had been an assisted dying law here in the UK our dad would have been able to have the choice to end his suffering, with medical support and with his loved ones around him. “Our dad would have been devastated at the thought of his beloved wife waiting to find out if, at the age of 80, she would face a life sentence in prison simply for respecting his wishes. We believe there must be a change in the law so that dying people are not forced to suffer, to make plans in secret or ask loved ones to risk prosecution by helping them, and so that no other family has to experience the pain our family has had to endure.” l Devoted couple – Page 4
www.expressandstar.com
Kristian now a first MP joins fight class graduate on green belt NEWS BRIEFING
Dudley North MP Ian Austin is set to attend a public meeting over controversial plans to build 1,300 homes on green belt land tonight. Mr Austin is urging Dudley, Wolverhampton and Staffordshire councils to block plans to build on the land in Seven Cornfields between his constituency in Sedgley, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire. The greenbelt land has been put forward for review as part of the Black Country Plan, which is looking at new areas for homes in the region to address a shortage. However the proposals have attracted strong opposition from residents. Mr Austin will be attending the public meeting tonight at 8pm at St Bart’s Church in Penn. He is writing to every resident in the area, to the local authorities involved urging them to oppose these plans and he is asking to meet Barratt Homes. Mr Austin said: “I am completely opposed to these plans and promise I will do everything I can to support local residents.”
PLANS
£22m i54 funding wins full approval
Council chiefs have given their full backing to £22.75 million funding for the next two stages of the i54 Western Extension site – a major development set to create 1,700 new jobs for the city. Leaders at Wolverhampton Council’s full council meeting last night gave complete approval to phases 4 and 5 of the development, which will provide 100 acres of industrial employment floor space on land to the west of the existing i54 estate. The latest stage of the development will occupy land north of Wobaston Road between Pendeford Hall Lane and the i54 site. The council’s cabinet approved a funding strategy and and budget for the first three phases of the development in January this year.
POLICE Hat’s off – Gymnast Kristian Thomas at his university graduation Olympic gymnast Kristian Report by Thomas Parkes Thomas has graduated with first class honours. is where I would like to end up – I Kristian finished his three-year was out of it but it’s nice to keep in bachelor of science in strength and touch with something I’m very pasconditioning at the University of sionate about.” Wolverhampton. He also won a speThe 30-year-old, who claimed cial Cranlea Dissertation Prize for bronze at the 2012 Olympics in the the best dissertation in the Depart- men’s artistic team and gold at the ment of Sport. 2014 Commonwealth Games, added: Now he plans on returning to “The staff were great, really supgymnastics as a sport practitioner. portive, encouraging and helpful. He said: “It feels pretty good actu- They definitely helped and showed ally. It’s a nice feeling to go there their expertise – I’m very grateful and connect with the people you’ve for their help.” Kristian was born in Wolverspent three years with. “The course was very similar to hampton and now lives near Cansports science and hopefully it gives nock. He used to train in Halesowen me an opportunity to go into the and retired in 2017, but is now a sport as a practitioner. Elite sport coach at Telford’s Park Wrekin club.
Arrest after gun found
A man has been arrested and a loaded gun was recovered after reports of a gang gathering in Wolverhampton. The handgun will be forensically examined to determine if it is linked to any shootings. The 36-year-old man remained in police custody last night on suspicion of making threats to kill and firearms offences.
THOUSANDS OF HOMES TO BE BUILT IN REGION – PAGE 5