COMMENT

A devoted husband who killed his wife in a “final act of love” has been jailed for three years and four months.

Ian Gordon, 67, smothered his wife Patricia, 63, with a pillow at their home in Troon, Ayrshire, on 28 April last year.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard how Mr Gordon acted because his partner of 46 years had been suffering from ill health.

The court was earlier told the couple had a death pact as Mrs Gordon was convinced she was suffering from lung cancer. She did not want to be treated for her health problems because she was afraid of hospitals, according to evidence.

Mr Gordon, who was convicted of culpable homicide last month, decided to act and placed a pillow over his spouse’s face that resulted in her losing her life.

Yesterday, defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC told judge Lord Arthurson that a doctor who knew Mr Gordon said the accused did not act with malice.

“[My father] had nothing whatsoever to gain by doing that and absolutely everything to lose. They were together nearly 50 years”

GAIL WHYTE