Man, 82, spared jail for killing wife who suffered from Parkinson's disease in 'act of mercy'

An 82-year-old man has been spared jail for killing his wife who suffered from Parkinson's disease in an "act of mercy".

Martin Rudin admitted smothering retired teacher Gabriella Rudin, 75, with cling film from the kitchen at their home in Histon, Cambridgeshire, early last New Year's Eve.

She had recently returned from hospital after suffering a fall and had told her son the day before her death she wanted to "go to Belgium" to die, the Old Bailey heard.

Mr Rudin, a retired civil engineer, handed himself into police on 9 January, telling officers his third wife had been "begging" him to kill her and said: "I just couldn't bear it any longer, for her or me".

He denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility, which was accepted by prosecutors, and was sentenced on Thursday to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years.

Judge Mark Bishop said the "tragic case" involved a couple - who had been married for 11 years after meeting online - who had led a "loving and content, interesting life together".

The judge said Mr Rudin was not coping with the "strain of being the principal carer," adding: "I accept at the time he did believe he was doing what he believed to be an act of mercy.

"It is clear Mrs Rudin had been speaking of wanting to die and I accept the defendant was overwhelmed by her expression of wanting to die, given his depressed state."

The judge said that while frail and vulnerable people needed the protection of the law, "the facts of the case require the court to take a merciful course".

'A wonderful mother'

Mrs Rudin was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2018 and was admitted to hospital after a fall last December and was prescribed antidepressants before being discharged on Christmas Eve.

In a statement, Mrs Rudin's son Hugh said: "Gabby was an intelligent, compassionate, and big-hearted woman.

"A wonderful mother, grandmother and sister who loved spending time with her family; she will be greatly missed."

Christopher Paxton KC, defending, said Mr Rudin was a man of "exemplary" character, who had "worked across the world on major projects" and lived a "long and productive life".

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"In a depressed state, Mr Rudin killed his beloved Gabby," he said.

"Mr Rudin acted out of love, compassion and mercy for his wife who had expressed a desire to die, given her medical condition and circumstances she was living in.

"Mr Rudin deeply loved Gabby. His remorse is profound and everlasting."

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Mrs Rudin's death has had a devastating effect on those who knew and loved her.

"This has been a thorough and extensive investigation under terribly sad circumstances, and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family."