Husband cleared of murdering wife with pillow

A devoted husband who smothered his ill wife to death with a pillow has been cleared of murdering her.

Ian Gordon, 67, has admitted killing his wife Patricia, 63, while suffering from diminished responsibility, which was accepted.

Yesterday prosecutor Ian Mcsporran QC withdrew the charge of murder against Gordon at the High Court in Glasgow on the third day of the trial.

Jurors heard that “but for” the evidence of the couple’s daughter Gail Whyte the murder trial would have continued.

Gordon, 67, killed his terminally ill wife Patricia at their home at North Drive, Troon on 28 April, last year by putting a pillow over her face.

In evidence yesterday, their daughter Mrs Whyte, 46, described the long-standing ailments her mother suffered, her fear of hospitals and the incredible devotion her father had for her, and said she fully supports his actions.

At the High Court in Glas- gow yesterday, defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC retendered the plea to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

Mr Mcsporran told the court: “The plea of guilty to culpable homicide on the basis that the accused was suffering diminished responsibility at the time is now acceptable to the Crown.”

Sentence was deferred.