I didn’t kill little bro.. we thought pills were Smarties
James insists he gave Steven, 5, drugs by mistake because they were starving
A MAN branded a “murderer” over a childhood accident that led to the death of his younger brother has spoken about the tragedy.
James Wilson, 49, was just seven when he and his five-year-old sibling Steven ate prescription drugs after mistaking them for sweets in 1981.
The children, who were born in Scotland but lived in Milton Keynes for a short time in the 80s, swallowed pills – thinking they were “Smarties” – after trying to find food to eat at a time when they were often left to go hungry.
But more than four decades on, James claims many relatives still hold him responsible for Steven’s death and has opened up on his ordeal in a bid to clear
his
HEADLINES
Story of death name.The dad, of West Lothian, told the Record: “I remember us being alone a lot as children. And there was often no food in the house.
“If there was bread, I’d make toast by using the gas cooker. I changed nappies and fed the other kids bottles. I had to be an adult before my time, by taking care of my siblings.
“I was going to a party at school that day. I remember telling Steven there would be cakes and stuff but I didn’t think I’d be able to bring them home.
“We were looking for something to eat but couldn’t find any food. Then I noticed him eating something. We thought they were Smarties but they were antidepressants. I didn’t like the taste, so I only had a couple and gave him the rest.”
James went to school and later vomited.
Staff tried to call his mum but were unable to reach her because she was at hospital with Steven who had become violently ill.
James said: “When I got home I ran up the stairs shouting on Steven but I never saw him again.
“A few days later, I was sent to the shop to buy a newspaper. I saw Steven’s picture on the front page and found out he had died.”
James, who struggles with depression as a result of his trauma, said one family member was still accusing him of being a killer as recently as a few weeks ago.
Setting the record straight, he added: “I didn’t kill my brother. I was a child and I don’t really know who I am now because of how I was brought up.
“I want people to know what happened after feeling judged for 42 years but no one was ever charged over Steven’s death. It was ruled an accident.”
No one was ever charged. It was ruled an accident james wilson on the death of sibling steven