Ex-miner released with immediate effect after manslaughter of his wife in Cyprus

A British ex-pat from Northumberland, who killed his terminally-ill wife in Cyprus, has been released.

76 year old David Hunter was sentenced to two years in prison for her manslaughter but has already spent 19 months in jail.

The retired miner admitted killing his wife of 52 years Janice in their retirement home in 2021.

The 74 year old had "begged hum" to end her suffering from blood cancer.

Earlier today (Monday 31st July) judges at Paphos District Court imposed a two-year jail sentence on Hunter, who has already spent 19 months in custody.

His legal team said he had been released shortly after the sentencing when Cypriot prison authorities had officially calculated his release date.

Asked by reporters outside how he was feeling, a visibly emotional Hunter said: "I can't describe it. I'm sorry. I wish I could, I wish I could find words to describe it but I can't.

"When you're under pressure for two years, not knowing which way it's going to go."

His daughter Lesley Cawthorne, who launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his defence, spoke to him on the phone shortly after the sentencing.

She said: "Speaking to my daddy was the most amazing thing. I feel like my heart has been put back together."

Judges previously found Hunter not guilty of the more serious charge of premeditated murder.

His legal team had argued he should be given a suspended sentence, in a case which is a legal first in the country.

In mitigation last week, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to "liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions".

The court heard it was Mrs Hunter's "wish" to die and that her husband "had only feelings of love for her".

Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, told his trial, which lasted for more than a year, that his wife "cried and begged" him to end her life.

He broke down in tears as he said he would "never in a million years" have taken Mrs Hunter's life unless she had asked him to.

He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife's mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became "hysterical".

The court heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose, but medics arrived in time to save him.

The court heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose, but medics arrived in time to save him.The former miner had been cleared by a court in Paphos of murdering his partner Janice in 2021 - his defence argued it was her "wish" to die.

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.