16/01/2014

Life For Man Who Killed Family After Reaction To Cancer Drugs

A man who killed his wife and daughter after suffering an adverse psychiatric reaction to chemotherapy drugs has been jailed for a minimum of 17 years.

70-year-old Peter Redfern was convicted of strangling his wife, Jean (67), and bludgeoning his daughter Sarah (33) to death with a hammer at their home in Wath-upon-Dearne in July 2013.

Redfern had been diagnosed with a form of incurable bone cancer in May 2013 and had signed up to a national trial for treatment with particular drug combinations.

It is understood that the studies have revealed that in a "very small percentage" of case the drugs Mr Redfern was taking could lead to adverse psychiatric reaction, which was observed to be generally mild or moderate. However, in "a small number of cases" the effects could be series.

The court had heard that the bodies of Jean and Sarah were found, with bags over their heard sealed with electrical tape, after Mr Redfern called 999 and told an operator: "I've just killed my wife and daughter."

Redfern was jailed for life, with a minimum sentence of 17 years. It is understood that the judge said Redfern would likely "die in prison".

(MH/IT)

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