'The most unique, unusual and sad case' - pensioner spared jail for wife's manslaughter

A Gatley pensioner has been spared jailed for the manslaughter of his ill wife.

Lawrence Franks, 84, had been a full-time carer for Patricia, who had been living with dementia for almost a decade.

Over the summer, he developed a hernia and had to be admitted to hospital.

He put Patricia into a care home, but according to his lawyer, knew that keeping her there long-term would be like 'leaving her to rot'.

After 16 days in the facility, during which time Lawrence had receive medical treatment, he collected Patricia from the home but found her condition had worsened to the point she could no longer recognise him.

He struggled for a few days, and neighbours admitted seeing him looking tired, worn and drained.

On the morning of 8th July 2018, he called 999 and admitted killing his wife.

He said he could no longer cope and that he wanted to end her suffering.

At sentencing, the judge described this as the most unique, unusual and sad case.

He said he had no doubt Lawrence Franks had loved his wife conditionally, and genuinely believed the only way to set her free from the pain of her illness was to kill her.

In a victim impact statement, Patricia Franks' nephew said he held no malice towards 'Laurie' and that he would help him recover when he was released from prison.

The judge handed down a two year suspended sentence and ordered Mr Franks to undergo 20 hours of rehabilitation and recovery therapy.