Daughter, 49, ‘at crisis point’ tried to suffocate mum
AWOMAN tried to suffocate her dementia-ravaged mother with a pillow after the 70-year-old said she wanted to die.
But following a struggle, Geraldine McGovern pulled away and contacted police, telling them: “I’ve just tried to kill my mother.” McGovern had reached point.
This week, at Birmingham Crown Court, the 49-year-old was spared prison. The case was described as “very, very sad” by deputy district judge Vijaya Monro.
McGovern’s mother, Ellen, survived the ordeal but has since died.
The 49-year-old defendant, who has battled an alcohol problem, was caring for Ellen at the pensioner’s Stechford, Birmingham, home when the November 24, 2019, incident took place.
McGovern has since been ostracised by her family, the court heard. She was not told of her mother’s death or allowed to attend the funeral.
She told the court: “I’m just really sorry. I’m trying to better myself and get help.”
McGovern, who now lives in Worcester, admitted assault by beating and was sentenced to an 18-month community order, including 30 days of rehabilitation. She must also pay a fine of £250, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge
crisis of £90. Mark Tracey, prosecuting, said: “The defendant is the complainant’s daughter. The allegation is that Ms McGovern has smothered or attempted to smother her by putting a pillow over her face.
“Subsequent to that she called the police telling them what she’s done.”
Defending McGovern, Najeeb Ali said the case was tragic.
He added: “It was left to her to look after her mother. Prior to that, given her previous career as a support worker, all her other siblings said to her, you’ve got nothing going on, got no responsibilities. Things got on top of her.”
He added McGovern’s father died two months prior to the incident and she had her own health problems and a battle with alcohol.
Deputy district judge Monro told
McGovern: “This is a very, very sad case. It does not excuse what you’ve done, but, given the circumstances, it’s an understandable reaction in the circumstances.”
She added: “Things came to a crisis point. You did call one of your siblings who said they would come round.
“There may have been discussions about them chipping in a bit more, but things came to a head much sooner.
“I can’t see anyone benefiting from me sending you to prison.
“In my judgement you need help and sending someone to prison isn’t necessarily the right course of action.”
McGovern admitted assault by beating at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on March 23, but the pandemic delayed sentencing.
On that occasion, the prosecutor stated that the defendant rang 999 and said: “I’ve just tried to suffocate my mother because she wants to die, she’s had enough.”
The court clerk pointed out the nature of the charge made it “very, very difficult for magistrates to sentence someone in what has been presented as attempted murder”.
In response, a Crown Prosecution Service spokeswoman said: “The case was considered in line with the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the appropriate charges were brought after careful consideration of all the available evidence.”