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20/11/2009
'Nightmare' Killer Cleared Of Murder Charge
A man who killed his wife during a nightmare about intruders has been cleared of her murder.
Brian Thomas, 59, who suffers from a sleep disorder had admitted strangling his 57-year-old wife Christine while on holiday in their camper van in Aberporth, Ceredigion last July.
Swansea Crown Court heard how sleep experts had blamed the disorder - automatism - for the fatal attack, meaning that at the time Mr Thomas' mind had no control over what his body was doing.
The court heard that Mr Thomas had been dreaming that he was fighting an intruder. His two daughters also told the court that their father was prone to sleepwalking and had been known to sometimes act strangely while doing so.
It is understood that Mr Thomas had been taking antidepressants, but that they had made him impotent and he had stopped taking them in order to be intimate with his wife during the holiday. The couple were childhood sweethearts who had been married for 40 years.
The prosecution told the jury on Friday morning that it was no longer seeking a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and said that there would be no purpose in sending Mr Thomas to a psychiatric hospital.
Jurors were told that they could reach only guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity verdicts on a murder charge and the judge instructed them to declare Mr Thomas not guilty over the death.
However, there are two types of automatism - insane and non-insane - and jurors will have to decide between them for their verdict.
Family members have welcomed the decision.
DCI Richard Evans of Dyfed-Powys Police said that Mrs Thomas' death was a "tragic case".
(KMcA/GK)
Brian Thomas, 59, who suffers from a sleep disorder had admitted strangling his 57-year-old wife Christine while on holiday in their camper van in Aberporth, Ceredigion last July.
Swansea Crown Court heard how sleep experts had blamed the disorder - automatism - for the fatal attack, meaning that at the time Mr Thomas' mind had no control over what his body was doing.
The court heard that Mr Thomas had been dreaming that he was fighting an intruder. His two daughters also told the court that their father was prone to sleepwalking and had been known to sometimes act strangely while doing so.
It is understood that Mr Thomas had been taking antidepressants, but that they had made him impotent and he had stopped taking them in order to be intimate with his wife during the holiday. The couple were childhood sweethearts who had been married for 40 years.
The prosecution told the jury on Friday morning that it was no longer seeking a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and said that there would be no purpose in sending Mr Thomas to a psychiatric hospital.
Jurors were told that they could reach only guilty or not guilty by reason of insanity verdicts on a murder charge and the judge instructed them to declare Mr Thomas not guilty over the death.
However, there are two types of automatism - insane and non-insane - and jurors will have to decide between them for their verdict.
Family members have welcomed the decision.
DCI Richard Evans of Dyfed-Powys Police said that Mrs Thomas' death was a "tragic case".
(KMcA/GK)
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17 November 2009
Man Claims To Have 'Killed Wife During A Dream'
A man accused of murdering his wife as they slept in a motor home killed her because he dreamt she was an intruder, a court has heard. Swansea Crown Court was told how Brian Thomas, 59, was not in control of his actions when he strangled his partner Christine Thomas, 57, in a camper van in a car park in Aberporth, Ceredigion, in July 2008.
Man Claims To Have 'Killed Wife During A Dream'
A man accused of murdering his wife as they slept in a motor home killed her because he dreamt she was an intruder, a court has heard. Swansea Crown Court was told how Brian Thomas, 59, was not in control of his actions when he strangled his partner Christine Thomas, 57, in a camper van in a car park in Aberporth, Ceredigion, in July 2008.
17 December 2003
Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
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Child killer Huntley handed down two life sentences
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10 May 2004
Carr receives thee-year sentence for fraud and deception
Maxine Carr has been handed down a three-year community rehabilitation order at Nottingham Crown Court after she pleaded guilty of a series of fraud and deception charges.
Carr receives thee-year sentence for fraud and deception
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
