Ponteland pensioner jailed for killing her husband
Last updated 25th Aug 2022
Janet Dunn will spend five years and three months behind bars after admitting to manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court.
The 73 year old held a pillow over her husband's face after an argument about their finances.
81-year-old Anthony Dunn died at their home in Ponteland on March 15th
Northumbria Police said she then "fled" the property and left the couple's daughter to find her father's body.
Dunn, of Beech Court, Ponteland, was due to go on trial for murder at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday but a charge of manslaughter was put to her and she pleaded guilty.
Northumbria Police said:
"On March 15, (Dunn) had been in a disagreement with her husband, Anthony Dunn, 81, over their finances.
"It was reported that Mrs Dunn then found herself holding a pillow over his face and her husband of 53 years, died as a result of her actions.
"She then fled their marital home, leaving their adult daughter to discover his body and call police."
"An incredibly awful case"
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, one of the officers working on the case, said:
"This has been an incredibly awful case which I'm sure will have shocked the local community, and has resulted in the death of Mr Dunn.
"Our thoughts remain with his family as they continue to come to terms with this tragic incident. This guilty plea will spare them a trial and the added stress that can bring.
"I would like to thank the hard work of all the officers involved. It has been an incredibly difficult investigation but their commitment to finding justice has resulted in a detailed evidential file and a guilty plea.
"Hopefully the family can now look to move forward with their grief and find some closure with this result."
Psychiatrists agreed that, at the time, Dunn was in a depressive episode and anxious, causing her judgment to be substantially impaired.
Peter Glenser QC, prosecuting, said Mr Dunn was known to make grand financial gestures which rarely came off and the couple would borrow money from family which they were unable to repay.
In the period before the killing, they faced having their home of 36 years repossessed.
Judge Paul Sloan, sentencing, said on the morning that she smothered him, it arose that yet again they would have to ask for a loan from a daughter.
He said: "He simply smiled, telling you to go ahead.
"You interpreted that smile as demonstrating a completely uncaring and unfeeling attitude.
"After decades of compliance and submission, it was the smile that finally caused you to snap.
"The anger and frustration you had repressed for years boiled over."
"Extremely sad and distressing"
The couple had three daughters and their middle child died last year aged 47, after which Mr Dunn's health deteriorated.
He had become more dependent on his wife, worrying if she left him alone, the court heard.
Although not violent in their relationship, he had been verbally abusive and said she would be left "treading on eggshells", particularly earlier in their marriage.
Mr Glenser said the husband was quick-tempered and liked to be in control of everything.
Psychiatric experts agreed their relationship was one of "coercive control", the barrister added.
The judge agreed, telling the grey-haired defendant:
"As a result of his behaviour and conduct towards you, your confidence and self-esteem were eroded."
After smothering her husband, Dunn drove to a nearby lake and tried to kill herself in her Mercedes but was seen, slumped and unconscious, by a dog-walker who raised the alarm, the court heard.
Their two surviving daughters provided victim statements but they were not read out in court.
John Elvidge QC, defending, said:
"This is an extraordinary case.
"The facts and the background that have been uncovered are extremely sad and distressing."
He added: "In spite of it all, Mrs Dunn did love her husband.
"She is desperately sorry for taking his life and for what she has done to their daughters."