David Hunter has been cleared of murdering his terminally-ill spouse in Cyprus however discovered responsible of the lesser cost of manslaughter.
Janice Hunter, 74, died of asphyxiation in December on the couple’s retirement dwelling close to the coastal resort of Paphos.
Hunter, a 76-year-old former coal miner from Northumberland, admitted killing his spouse however denied homicide.
He informed a Cyprus courtroom she had blood most cancers and “begged him” to finish her life as a result of she was in ache.
The couple’s daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, informed Sky Information: “I am extremely relieved that it is manslaughter somewhat than homicide.
“It is one of the best we may have hoped for within the circumstances and I actually hope the judges can lengthen their compassion and be lenient of their sentencing.”
Hunter’s confession was deemed as having been lawfully obtained and was allowed as proof in opposition to him, regardless of opposition from the defence.
A deal to scale back the cost to manslaughter additionally collapsed final 12 months after prosecutors would not settle for his declare that his spouse requested him to kill her except he offered proof.
A 3-judge panel delivered the decision in Paphos on Friday.
Throughout the trial, a decide additionally dismissed a request to permit proof from a psychiatrist who mentioned Hunter was affected by dissociation on the time of the incident.
The courtroom discovered Hunter was lucid and conscious, demonstrated by the actual fact he took capsules and known as his brother after killing his spouse.
He might be sentenced on 27 July.
His authorized crew mentioned the manslaughter verdict means all sentences are open to the judges, together with a suspended sentence, that means he would keep away from jail.
Marketing campaign group Justice Overseas mentioned the decision means the courtroom agreed it was not a premeditated homicide.
“This stays a tragic case,” it mentioned in an announcement.
“Janice and David had been in a loving relationship for over 50 years and it’s clear that David did what he did out of affection for Janice upon her request.”