A husband who admitted suffocating his wife who was stricken with Parkinson’s disease has been spared jail.
Martin Rudin, 82, of Melvin Way, Histon, killed his wife Gabriella on New Year’s Eve, just after she had returned home after spending most of December in hospital.
He was charged with murder, though later admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) in London today (20 July).
Rudin was handed two years in prison, suspended for two years.
He was also given a three-month curfew and ordered to notify police of any intimate relationships for the next two years.
A statement issued by the couple’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.”
Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit (MCU), 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.”
Mrs Rudin, 75, had been admitted to hospital after a fall at home due to the illness, which had been diagnosed five years previously and had left her needing a walking frame.
Her discharge notes highlighted she was suffering with poor mobility and low mood but had been put on anti-depressants and encouraged to be more active.
After returning home, she slept on a medical bed downstairs due to her poor mobility and had carers visit four times a day.
However, on New Year’s Eve, police were called to their home and found Mrs Rudin’s body.
In initial accounts, it was claimed Mrs Rudin had been left to go to sleep by her son and carers at 10.30pm the previous night.
Police were told Rudin woke at 2am and went downstairs to find she had passed away. He didn’t know what to do, so waited for his son Hugh to wake up before telling him, and an ambulance was called at 7.22am.
Mrs Rudin was declared dead at the scene and a report was prepared for the coroner. However, on 9 January, Rudin visited Parkside Police Station, in Cambridge, and admitted he had suffocated his wife.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder and in police interview claimed that when she had come home from hospital, he had felt sorry for her as she could hardly eat and there was nothing he could do to help.
Rudin claimed she had asked him to end her life and told police, “I just couldn’t bear it any longer, for her or me”.
