A gran smothered her abusive husband after he smiled at her when he told her there were on thin ice financially.
Janet Dunn, 73, “snapped” and suffocated her husband of 53 years Anthony Dunn, 81, before fleeing their Northumberland home and attempting to commit suicide.
Ex-lollypop lady Janet was sentenced to five years and three months for taking Anthony’s life, having pressed a pillow onto his face in Ponteland, Northumberland.
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“Quiet and shy”, Newcastle Crown Court heard, she had been subjected to “domineering”, where her husband had “exercised control over many aspects of [her] life.”
She was originally charged with murder but manslaughter was accepted by the prosecution following a guilty plea.
Mr Dunn had reportedly been reckless in business and his actions had put them at risk of losing their home.
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
Their daughter, Helen Telford, was in the house when her mum killed her dad following a smile on March 15 that led her to hold the pillow over him until he stopped breathing.
Janet then told Helen she was going to the chemist, but then headed to Bolam Lake to try and take her own life.
After trying to get hold of her mum Helen eventually made the discovery of her father’s body.
Psychiatrists agreed Janet had experienced a depressive episode, MailOnline reports.
Prosecutor Peter Glenser QC, responding to Janet’s police interview, said: “She said he (Mr Dunn) had not been violent but had been verbally abusive such that she was treading on eggshells most of the time.
“It was worse at the start of their relationship. She said he had a quick temper and liked to be in control of everything.
(Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)
“She said he lied about money and that made her anxious. She said he had a heart attack in the last year and dementia had set in.”
Judge Paul Sloan, sentencing, said: “Throughout the marriage you were the victim of coercive and controlling behaviour by your husband. You were by nature quiet and shy.
“He was nine years your senior and he was domineering and exercised control over many aspects of your life.
“One house was repossessed, there was bankruptcy, bills were unpaid, there were creditors and visits by bailiffs.
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“You had to borrow money from your own father and daughter which caused considerable shame and embarrassment.
“Mr Dunn would make grandiose promises such as paying for a daughter’s wedding reception and that he would buy a house for [your] daughter but the promises came to nothing.
“You were left constantly worrying about when the next financial crisis would envelop you.
“After decades of compliance and submission it was the smile that finally caused you to snap. The anger and frustration you had repressed for years boiled over.”
John Elvidge QC, defending, said: “This is an extraordinary case.
“The facts and the background that have been uncovered are extremely sad and distressing.”
He continued: ‘In spite of it all, Mrs Dunn did love her husband.
“She is desperately sorry for taking his life and for what she has done to their daughters.”
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