OAP held over wife killing hopes to be free in weeks
Assisted dying case Brit in suspended sentence bid
A BRITISH pensioner arrested over the death of his ill wife in Cyprus could be freed next month.
Former miner David Hunter, 75, is set to plead guilty to manslaughter, a charge reduced from pre-meditated murder, his lawyers say.
He had been facing a life sentence if found guilty of the pre-meditated murder of terminally ill Janice, his 75-year-old wife of 52 years, at their home in Cyprus in December. He insists he smothered her in a “mercy killing”. At a hearing yesterday the Paphos Assize Court was told David would enter his plea on December 5.
It paves the way for a possible suspended sentence. Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, said: “David’s strong mitigation, such as his good character and long and loving relationship with his wife, will be put before the court. We hope given the particular facts of this case and case law in similar cases from around the world... that the court could consider suspending.”
Earlier this year, the Hunters’ daughter Lesley told the Mirror her mother, who had blood cancer, had begged her father to help her die.