Murder case against man who killed wife is dropped

Police said Margaret Worby, 84, was found dead at a property in Kingsbury Avenue, Dunstable

A murder prosecution against an 84-year-old man who killed his wife has been dropped.

Police have said Margaret Worby, also aged 84, was found dead in a house in Kingsbury Avenue in Dunstable, Bedfordshire, on 23 January.

Roger Worby, of Kingsbury Avenue, had admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing but denied murder - and a trial date was set.

But a prosecution barrister told a judge at Luton Crown Court that Worby had a "diminished responsibility" defence and did not need to stand trial.

Judge Michael Simon said he aimed to sentence Worby for the manslaughter charge on 15 December.

Worby, who has been remanded in custody, was not at the hearing.

Lawyers indicated that Worby had been assessed by psychiatrists and was being "cared" for in custody.

"It is clear that the defence of diminished responsibility is available to this defendant," Caroline Carberry KC, prosecuting, told Judge Simon.

"There will no longer be any need for a trial."