Man who died after incident in town was carer for his elderly mum

HEARTBROKEN FAMILY TELL OF MOMENT THEY HAD TO MAKE DECISION TO TURN HIS LIFE SUPPORT OFF

HEARTBROKEN relatives have paid tribute to a man who died after an incident in Nuneaton.

Peter Spiers, 66, who was the full time carer for his elderly mother, died in hospital following what police termed an “altercation” in Nuneaton town centre on Saturday afternoon.

Now, his family have spoken of the tragic moment they had to turn off his life support.

Carole Taylor, Peter’s older sister said: “They had him on a life support machine. We had to make the decision to turn it off.

“I wouldn’t want him to be brought round only to find out he’s going to die anyway. We had to turn it off.”

Peter went to Swinnerton School in Nuneaton and went on to do an engineering apprenticeship with Webster and Bennett before moving on to work for Rolls Royce where his father had also worked. He worked until his late 50s when he retired and became his mother’s full-time carer

He was never married and had one brother Joseph, 70, and two sisters, Carole, 74, and Irene, 71.

Carole added: “He was a very caring brother and son, he was the chief carer for my mother. He had a very individual character and he did his best for his mother, he always looked after my mother.

“He had a lovely childhood, our parents gave us everything, they didn’t have much but they gave us everything we needed.”

Police were called just after 1pm on Saturday to reports of an altercation in Harefield Road between two men.

Following the incident Peter fell ill and was taken to the George Eliot hospital where he later died.

The first his family knew about it was when the police came to speak to them at the home in Stoneleigh Court, Nuneaton, where Peter lived with his mother.

Carole added: “A policeman came up the stairs, I knew something had happened to Peter.”

His mother Enid, who is 93, said: “I cannot take it in.

“I am being as brave as I can You cannot describe your feelings when you lose someone, I was shocked when I found out.”

Enid is confined to bed and Peter cared for her full time.

“He did extremely well looking after my mother,” said Carole.

“I’ve had to get some carers in but Peter would never do that when he was around. He always said while I am here, I’m looking after my mother.”

Enid added: “He was a good lad. I have been in bed for 12 months and he has cared for me for so long. He has been with me all his life more or less, he moved out for a while with a girlfriend but he came back.

“He has done so much for me, more than some men would do, washing me, helping me to the toilet, all of that. Some men wouldn’t be able to do that. He always said mum I will be with you until the end.”

A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday but the results were inconclusive and more tests will need to be carried out.

A 46-year-old man from Nuneaton arrested on suspicion of murder has been bailed until August while investigations continue.

Police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses and are urging anyone with information to call 101 and quote incident 221 of July 15, 2017.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via www. crimestoppers-uk.org