Wife killer Ian set to appeal sentence
Jailed for ‘ final act of love’
A devoted husband who killed his wife in a “final act of love” will appeal his jail term, the Ayrshire Post can exclusively reveal.
Ian Gordon, 67, was sentenced to three years and four months after smothering sick wife Patricia at their home in Troon last year.
Now his defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC has confirmed that the popular painter and decorator will appeal the sentence. Judge Lord Arthurson had told him it was “in the public interest” to send him to prison after he was convicted of culpable homicide.
The court had earlier heard how he had a death pact with his wife, who believed she was suffering from lung cancer but didn’t want to be treated because of a fear of hospitals.
A devoted husband who killed his wife in a “final act of love” is set to appeal his three year and four month prison sentence.
Ian Gordon, 67, smothered wife Patricia, 63, with a pillow at their home in Troon’s North Drive on April 28 last year.
And despite his daughter pledging her support for the popular painter and decorator, judge Lord Arthurson said at the High Court in Edinburgh it was “in the public interest” to place him behind bars.
But his defence counsel Gordon Jackson QC told the Ayrshire Post that he would be appealing the sentence, after he had argued that the circumstances could allow it to be dealt with by way of a non- custodial sentence.
Mr Jackson told the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday how Mr Gordon had acted “without malice”. He said: “He said it was a ‘ final act of love.’ That is exactly what happened.”
Lord Arthurson said he took into account what Mr Jackson said and the evidence placed before the court in deciding the sentence.
He said: “There are powerful mitigatory factors in your favour. However, given the nature of the charge to which you have been convicted of, a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“It is in the public interest that I discharge my duties and the sentence of this court will be three years and four months.”
Mr Gordon established his painting and decorating business in Troon in 1978 and became well known and respected throughout the town.
The court had earlier heard how the couple had a death pact as Mrs Gordon was convinced she was suffering from lung cancer. However, she didn’t want to be treated for her health problems because she was afraid of hospitals.
So Mr Gordon, who was convicted of culpable homicide last month, decided to act and placed a pillow over his spouse’s face which resulted in her losing her life.
A murder charge against Mr Gordon was dropped after jurors heard a ‘ moving account’ from the couple’s daughter Gail Whyte.
In evidence, Mrs Whyte said she was glad her father helped her mother. She said she knew about a ‘ pact’ her parents had and that her mother knew her own mind.
She added: “My mum was my dad’s entire world, everything he did was for my mum. ‘ She was his reason for getting up in the morning.”
She said she loved her father ‘ beyond measure’ and described the “absolutely harrowing” noises her mother made on the night she died.
Mrs Whyte said that around 4.30am the next day, her father phoned to say her mother “was away”, and she went to their home.
In a statement to police, she said her father told her he was ‘ sorry’ and ‘ couldn’t see her in that pain’. She added: “I don’t remember his exact words but something like, ‘ I’m not going to tell you what I did’.
He then said, “I know I’m going to jail, I don’t know how long for, but I don’t have a single regret”.
Lord Arthurson told Mr Gordon, who has no previous convictions, he had no other option but to impose a custodial term.
He added the sentence was discounted from a five year term.