His wife has been in a care home since the attack
A 90-year-old man has been spared jailed after stabbing his blind and ailing wife of more than 60 years.
The pensioner was not in court for the verdicts, having become ill after giving his evidence in August. On Wednesday, he was sentenced in his absence after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection and pneumonia. “Joan had been extremely stressed and anxious as the trial approached. She is fully aware Edward broke the law and what has happened since is a consequence of his actions.”
Judge Alexia Durran handed Turpin two years’ custody suspended for two years. She said the couple had a happy marriage of nearly 70 years and Turpin was simply “too proud” to ask extended family for help to care for his wife.