A former councillor, who strangled the sick wife he had loved for over 50 years, is to treated in a mental health unit.
Michael Andrew Sargent, who is known as Andy, dialled 999 and told the operator: “I have actually just killed my wife – I strangled her basically.”
The 78-year-old, who stood down as a parish councillor for Loughton and Great Holme in Milton Keynes before this year’s May elections, could not cope when Christine Sargent was discharged from hospital.
Luton Crown Court heard called the emergency services at around six minutes past eight in the morning of Saturday May 20th this year.
Prosecutor Graham Smith said the police arrived at their detached bungalow in Bradwell Road, Loughton, Milton Keynes at 8.15. Christine, who was 73, was found on her back next to the bed.
Andy Sargent told the officers: “I am starting to think why I did it. There was no rhyme or reason “
Christine was taken to Milton Keynes hospital where she died at half past three the following morning. The cause of death was compression of the neck. She had bruising to her face, head and a black eye.
Mr Smith said Sargent, who had worked in the car industry, had been actively involved in church and parish planning matters. The couple had a “traditional old-fashioned marriage”. He went out to work and she took care of the home.
Christine had become vulnerable: having type two diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and could not use her legs.
She had been in hospital from December 2022, but was released on 17 April this year. A personal care plan was drawn up with four visits a day from nurses.
On the day before her release, 16th April, Andy Sargent cut his wrists and presented himself at the city hospital. “He was feeling overwhelmed by her imminent release back home,” said the prosecutor.
Friends and family reported that there had been a marked deterioration in his appearance since mid-March. He had sold their holiday home in Tenerife to fund her care at home, but was worried about how to fund it all. He had also been struggling with household tasks.
Andy Sargent’s plea of not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility was accepted by the prosecution at an earlier hearing.
In a victim personal statement: Beth Ward, Christine’s niece, said the couple, who had no children, had been “happily married for 50 years.”
She went on: “He loved Christine so much. He could not cope with the circumstances of her coming out of hospital.”
Defending Charlie Sherrard KC said: “It was a tragic case.”
He asked the judge to make a hospital order saying: “There is a concern any form of custodial sentence would be a disaster. Even a suspended sentence would create problems – he would be released from court and would face PTSD by going home.
Judge Michael Simon made an order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.
He told Sargent, whose has been held at Marlborough House medium secure unit in Milton Keynes, “This is an utterly tragic and profoundly sad case.
“It is clear to the court that after over 50 years of very happy and devoted marriage one to the other that you became utterly overwhelmed by the prospect of her coming home in circumstances when she was unwell.
“In the build up you became significantly unwell yourself. It is clear that but for the very significant mental health episodes we would not be here.”
Beds Boro Bulletin Oct 23
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