Menu
04/08/2008
Pensioner Banned From Pub For Murdering Wife
A 74-year-old man has been spared jail for killing his wife of more than 50 years.
Edward Flaherty was convicted of strangling Ina, 69 with a tie after she refused to give him money to go out drinking.
Lord Matthews said Flaherty's dementia made him "unsuited" to prison.
He has imposed a year-long restriction order – meaning he will be tagged – to stop him going to the pub.
Flaherty was originally charged with murdering his wife at their home in Gibson Heights, Drygate, Glasgow on April 2, last year.
A jury convicted him of a reduced charge of culpable homicide.
He will be banned from leaving his home between 11am and 11pm after being found guilty of culpable homicide.
Lord Matthews told Flaherty that under normal circumstances he would have been given a prison sentence in double figures.
"It is plain to me that if I were to impose that sort of sentence you would be released in a very short time because prison would not be able to cope with your condition.
"Sentencing you would just be a token gesture. I am anxious to impose a sentence that restricts your liberty," he said.
Flaherty, who suffers from dementia, said he had "no recollection" of killing his wife in April last year.
Defence QC Donald MacLeod said that Flaherty was a "man in significant physical and mental decline".
"He was always willing to plead guilty to culpable homicide, but this was flatly rejected by the Crown and that is why a trial was necessary.
"I am deeply conscious that there has been a death here, but this man is very unwell," he said.
It is understood that Flaherty, who has had three heart attacks, couldn't even remember who the Prime Minister was.
The court heard that he and Ina had a "strong and firm" marriage.
(DS)
Edward Flaherty was convicted of strangling Ina, 69 with a tie after she refused to give him money to go out drinking.
Lord Matthews said Flaherty's dementia made him "unsuited" to prison.
He has imposed a year-long restriction order – meaning he will be tagged – to stop him going to the pub.
Flaherty was originally charged with murdering his wife at their home in Gibson Heights, Drygate, Glasgow on April 2, last year.
A jury convicted him of a reduced charge of culpable homicide.
He will be banned from leaving his home between 11am and 11pm after being found guilty of culpable homicide.
Lord Matthews told Flaherty that under normal circumstances he would have been given a prison sentence in double figures.
"It is plain to me that if I were to impose that sort of sentence you would be released in a very short time because prison would not be able to cope with your condition.
"Sentencing you would just be a token gesture. I am anxious to impose a sentence that restricts your liberty," he said.
Flaherty, who suffers from dementia, said he had "no recollection" of killing his wife in April last year.
Defence QC Donald MacLeod said that Flaherty was a "man in significant physical and mental decline".
"He was always willing to plead guilty to culpable homicide, but this was flatly rejected by the Crown and that is why a trial was necessary.
"I am deeply conscious that there has been a death here, but this man is very unwell," he said.
It is understood that Flaherty, who has had three heart attacks, couldn't even remember who the Prime Minister was.
The court heard that he and Ina had a "strong and firm" marriage.
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 February 2015
Teen To Serve At Least 18 Years In Jail For Murdering Man In Alleyway
A teenager has been sentenced to at least 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of stabbing a man to death in an argument over a cigarette. Kai Steele, 18, from Charlton, received the indefinite sentence, after a jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of murdering Alex Scott, 26, in an alleyway in south east London last year.
Teen To Serve At Least 18 Years In Jail For Murdering Man In Alleyway
A teenager has been sentenced to at least 18 years in prison after he was found guilty of stabbing a man to death in an argument over a cigarette. Kai Steele, 18, from Charlton, received the indefinite sentence, after a jury at the Old Bailey found him guilty of murdering Alex Scott, 26, in an alleyway in south east London last year.
24 January 2012
Man Convicted Of Murdering Man, 79
A 27-year-old has been convicted of brutally murdering an elderly man in London. Andrew Monk, 27, of Abergeldie Road, SE12 was on Tuesday found guilty of the murder of James Land, 79, at Mr Land's home in Whitefoot Terrace, Lewisham on 10 May 2011.
Man Convicted Of Murdering Man, 79
A 27-year-old has been convicted of brutally murdering an elderly man in London. Andrew Monk, 27, of Abergeldie Road, SE12 was on Tuesday found guilty of the murder of James Land, 79, at Mr Land's home in Whitefoot Terrace, Lewisham on 10 May 2011.
28 March 2013
Man Given Life Sentence For Murdering Parents
A 46-year-old man has been jailed for life after being convicted of killing his parents. Following a five-week trial, Mr Seddon was convicted of murdering his father Robert (68) and his mother Patricia (65) as well as their attempted murders four months previously.
Man Given Life Sentence For Murdering Parents
A 46-year-old man has been jailed for life after being convicted of killing his parents. Following a five-week trial, Mr Seddon was convicted of murdering his father Robert (68) and his mother Patricia (65) as well as their attempted murders four months previously.
03 November 2014
Teen To Serve At Least 20 Years For Murdering Teacher
A teenage boy who admitted murdering Leeds schoolteacher Ann Maguire, 61, is to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, stabbed Mrs Maguire to death in a classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor on 28 April. At the court this morning he issued a former guilty plea to the murder charge.
Teen To Serve At Least 20 Years For Murdering Teacher
A teenage boy who admitted murdering Leeds schoolteacher Ann Maguire, 61, is to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, stabbed Mrs Maguire to death in a classroom at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor on 28 April. At the court this morning he issued a former guilty plea to the murder charge.
27 August 2015
Man Charged With Murdering His Father
A man is due to appear before Thames Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of his father. Suluk Ahmen, 31, of Huddleston Close, E2 has been charged with the murder of Jamir Ali, 79, on Sunday, 23 August, in Huddleston Close, E2. Ahmed is also charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Man Charged With Murdering His Father
A man is due to appear before Thames Magistrates' Court charged with the murder of his father. Suluk Ahmen, 31, of Huddleston Close, E2 has been charged with the murder of Jamir Ali, 79, on Sunday, 23 August, in Huddleston Close, E2. Ahmed is also charged with two counts of attempted murder.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
