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A pensioner has been given a suspended jail sentence after admitting the mercy killing of his wife.

Anthony Mann, aged 78 , killed his sick wife after she asked him to ‘bring her suffering to an end’.

A judge this afternoon gave him a two year jail sentence suspended for two years.

Mann had sat quietly sobbing in the dock as the details of the tragic mercy killing in Nuneaton were outlined of how he plunged a kitchen knife into her chest in a moment of impulse.

The court was told that he was a caring, loving father and husband who had been happily married to Janet for 57 years after first meeting at a dance when they were teenagers.

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They lived in Golf Drive, on the Whitestone estate but since 2008 Janet’s health had declined significantly and by the middle of last year, at the age of 77, she had dementia, was unable to go to the toilet properly and was in chronic pain.

“The strain on Mr Mann was enormous and on June 20 at 2.20am he made a 999 call and said he had killed his wife,” said prosecuting counsel Peter Grieve-Smith.

“He said he had stabbed her and that she had asked him to do it.

“When the police arrived they found Janet Mann lying on her bed on her back with a knife sticking out of her abdomen. She had died instantly through a stab wound to her heart.”

The court heard that since 2008 Mrs Mann's health had declined significantly and by the middle of last year, at the age of 77, she had dementia, was unable to go to the toilet properly and was in chronic pain.

In a statement to police Mann said his wife had been in a distressed state and had told him she had had enough.

‘‘She was screaming and said she did not want live like this. I went to the kitchen and got a knife and stabbed her. I kissed her and said I love you.’

After originally being accused of murder, the charge was replaced at the opening of the trial to manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

Mann, who had been on bail awaiting the hearing, pleaded guilty.

Defending QC Jonas Hankin said: "This is a tragic case of a mercy killing."

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Mr Justice Haddon-Cave said: “This is an exceptionally sad and tragic case. Janet Mann had suffered ill health for a number of years and her husband was her devoted and constant carer.

“She did not want to suffer any more and, under terrific strain, her husband acted in a moment of impulse.”

The judge said he accepted the conclusions of two psychiatrists that, on the night of the killing, the defendant had been suffering a mental disorder, brought on by the “enormous pressure” he was under.

Addressing Mann he added: “Neither of your daughters bears any resentment towards you and each has expressed relief that their mother’s suffering has ended.

“You have been an industrious, hard-working man who has led an utterly decent life, devoted to your wife and family.”

In a statement issued through his solicitor at the end of the trial, Mann said: “The family are all relieved that Janet is no longer suffering and I am grateful of their support throughout this difficult time.

“The end of Janet’s severe pain and distress is all that this case has been about. Janet was a very special lady and her family and friends all love and miss her greatly.”