Barham man jailed for shooting wife
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Last updated 22nd Oct 2021
A man, who admitted killing his wife at their home in Barham last year, has been jailed for life.
Peter Hartshorne-Jones, appeared at Ipswich Crown yesterday (21 October) where he was given a life sentence and told he'll serve a minimum term of eight years under Section 45A of the Mental Health Act. This will take place in a psychiatric hospital where he will remain indefinitely, until such time he is deemed fit to be transferred to prison.
The 52-year-old previously appeared at the crown court on Thursday 15 October 2020, where he admitted the manslaughter of his wife, 41-year-old Silke Hartshorne-Jones, based on diminished responsibility.
Officers were called shortly before 4.45am on Sunday 3 May 2020, to reports a woman had been shot within a property.
Silke Hartshorne-Jones was taken to Ipswich Hospital where she died. A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded that Mrs Hartshorne-Jones, 41, died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Peter Hartshorne-Jones was subsequently charged with murder. Following appearances at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court and Ipswich Crown Court on Tuesday 5 May, he was remanded into custody.
Two Consultant Forensic Psychiatrists assessed Peter Hartshorne-Jones in prison and had access to medical records and evidence from the investigation. They concluded that at the time of the attack Mr Hartshorne-Jones had an abnormality of mental functioning, which provides an explanation for his conduct in killing his wife, Silke.
Detective Inspector Karl Nightingale, the Senior Investigating Officer, said: "The killing of Silke has left family members, friends and colleagues devastated beyond comprehension. Many lives have truly been changed; none more so than the children of Mr and Mrs Hartshorne-Jones.
“The evidence of the consultant forensic psychiatrists resulted in the acceptance of this being manslaughter. What occurred in the early hours of Sunday 3 May 2020 at that family home is unthinkable. Hopefully Mr Hartshorne-Jones’ treatment will enable him to fully comprehend what he has done, the dreadful consequences of it, and then finally show some responsibility and remorse.
Silke’s family have shown such incredible strength, unity and courage. My thoughts regarding this case will always be about them.”