Man smothered wife of 62 years in bed, jury finds

Police found Delia Haxworth's body at the couple's house in Bath

An 88-year-old man unlawfully killed his wife of 62 years by smothering her in bed, a jury has decided.

William Haxworth was charged with murdering his wife Delia, 85, before climbing scaffolding and threatening to jump off.

However, Judge William Hart, who described it as a "tragic case", deemed him unfit to stand trial. Jurors at Bristol Crown Court were told they did not have to determine whether or not he was guilty.

On Tuesday, the jury found that Mr Haxworth, of Bath in Somerset, "did the acts charged against him". He was given conditional bail to appear in court on 28 October.

The court heard how members of the public saw Mr Haxworth threatening to jump from the top of scaffolding in the centre of Bath in June 2024.

Andrew Langdon KC, prosecuting, said he confessed to those who came to his aid that he had murdered his wife.

Fire service watch manager Lee Harding, one of those at the scene, told the court on Monday how the defendant spoke of his "wife of 62 years, who I love very much".

He said Mr Haxworth told him his wife was "very ill", adding: "I had to kill her and now it's my turn."

Avon and Somerset Police found Mrs Haxworth "lifeless on a bed" at their home on Upper Lansdown Mews in Bath.

The prosecutor told the jury that a note was found at the scene, apparently written by the defendant.

The note read: "It all became too much. Please forgive me and wonderful Dil.

"It all seemed lacking in point. You've all been so wonderful too. And so many kind neighbours. Forgive. Forgive. Will."

'Nothing but sympathy'

After the jurors returned their finding, Judge Hart told them: "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.

"The friends and family of William and Delia deserve nothing but our sympathy and condolences."

The jury heard that Mrs Haxworth had fallen and hit her head about three weeks before she died, but the injuries were not thought to have contributed to her death.

A pathologist said she had been judged to be four on the frailty scale – signifying only mild frailty – and she was "generally quite independent".

She had a history of bowel cancer but there was no evidence of it recurring.

Judge Hart told the jury on Tuesday that the defendant's wellbeing had "fluctuated quite dramatically" in the last few months.

He said he would decide what would happen to Mr Haxworth at the next hearing when he had a "clearer picture".

Anna Vigars KC, defending, told the court that her client spent time in custody after he was arrested but has since been released on bail and was living with his family under their care.

She said he has also had in-patient psychiatric care and has been seen by GPs.