Husband who assisted his wife’s suicide to walk free..
‘Loving’ partner filmed death
A MAN who filmed his ill wife while she suffocated herself acted “out of love”, a coroner ruled.
Ian Taylor, 75, held the camera while 70-year-old Beryl – known as Mary – read a statement and ended her life.
After dialling 999 the retired council officer was arrested on suspicion of assisting a suicide and murder.
But prosecutors later judged it was not in the public interest to charge the dad-of-two with any offence.
And yesterday coroner Kevin McCarthy spoke of the couple’s “very loving and stable relationship that has passed the test of time”.
He added: “Any actions of Mr Taylor, I am convinced, were because of love and no other motive.”
Before the inquest, the couple’s daughter Emmeline, 44, called for the law to be changed. She said: “It was awful for Dad. I thought he was going to prison. It was terribly bleak for him.”
She said her mother was too ill to travel to Switzerland where assisted suicide is legal.
She added: “Mum was a domineering character. My father found it very difficult to argue with her.”
Mrs Taylor was housebound with EMMELINE TAYLOR DAUGHTER OF COUPLE Ian conditions including fibromyalgia, severe allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines and pancreatic problems.
Mr Taylor, who spent 16 months on bail, had to soundproof their home in Rattlesden, Suffolk, to block the noise of church bells which left her distressed.
He did not speak at the Ipswich inquest. Later he asked for time to “settle”.
Assisting suicide is illegal although prosecutions depend on circumstances.
Verdict: Suicide.
It was just awful for Dad. I thought he would go to prison