Former Ayrshire councillor spared jail after killing ill husband

A former Ayrshire councillor who killed her unwell husband of 50 years after believing he wanted her to help him die has been spared jail

Susanne Wilson suffocated 70 year-old Henry with a cushion at their home in Ayr last September.

The retired nurse had been a carer for her husband who suffered from chronic heart disease.

A judge heard how the 72 year-old had also been struggling to come to terms with sex abuse allegations against Mr Wilson.

Wilson admitted to a culpable homicide charge at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

Prosecutors accepted her plea on the basis of her “diminished responsibility” at the time due to the strain she was under.

Judge Lady Rae said: "Mr Wilson suffered serious ill health both physically and mentally and it transpires he previously tried to commit suicide.

"In addition you had been confronted with distressing information about the husband you had lived with and loved for 50 years.

"It's impossible to envisage the mental torment you must have been going through at the time when you killed your husband and which clearly distorted your decision making, leading you to the action which you took on that fateful evening."

She added: "Having considered the material before me while recognising that in most cases such a crime would merit a very significant custodial sentence, I am prepared in the unusual and complex circumstances of this case to impose a non-custodial disposal.

"There's no suggestion whatsoever that you are a risk to the public, I have come to the view therefore that punishment is not appropriate and having reached that conclusion I consider a community payback order is not justified nor is it required."

Sentence was deferred until January for good behaviour and for her to continue with treatment from her psychiatrist.

The gran had been a Labour councillor in Troon in the late 90s.

She had been married for 50 years and the couple had three children together