British expat David Hunter who killed terminally ill wife in Cyprus handed two-year sentence for manslaughter
David Hunter, the British pensioner who killed his terminally ill wife in Cyprus, has been sentenced to two years after he was found guilty of manslaughter.
But Hunter was released on Monday after Cypriot prison authorities officially calculated his release date, his legal team have said.
The 76-year-old has already spent 19 months in custody so has already served the majority of his sentence, according to Michael Polak, the director of Justice Abroad.
The couple were married for 52 years
Mr Polak, whose organisation is representing Hunter, said that in Cyprus a defendant will spend 10 months in custody for every year they are jailed.
Janice Hunter, 74, died of asphyxiation at the couple’s retirement home near Paphos in December 2021.
Hunter, a former coal miner from Northumberland, admitted killing his wife but denied murder.
He told a Cyprus court she had blood cancer and “begged him” to take her life because she was in so much pain.
Hunter was cleared of murdering his wife but was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter earlier this month.
Lesley Cawthorne – the daughter of David and Janice Hunter – told Sky News she had spoken to her father on FaceTime after the sentencing hearing.
She said she and her father were “elated, stunned and deeply, deeply grateful” following his release.
Mr Polak said Hunter’s legal team were “very pleased” with the sentence.
British pensioner David Hunter waves to journalists while being escorted to a police van outside a courthouse in Paphos
“The sentencing exercise was not a simple one given that a case like this has never come before the courts of Cyprus before,” Mr Polak said.
He added: “We submitted extensive sentencing case law from across the common law world, from Australia to Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to assist the court in coming to a decision which was fair.
“The result of today’s hearing, and the court’s previous decision finding Hunter not guilty of murder, is what we have been fighting for in this case and David is very pleased with the outcome today.
“David would like to thank his legal team for their work, the experts who supported his case, and everyone from Cyprus, the United Kingdom, and around the world who has supported him.
“This has been a tragic case and difficult for all of those involved with it, but today’s decision was the right one and allows David and his family to grieve together.”
David and Janice Hunter
Hunter told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that his wife “cried and begged” him to end her life.
He broke down in tears as he said he would “never in a million years” have taken Mrs Hunter’s life unless she had asked him to.
He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife’s mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became “hysterical”.
The court heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose, but medics arrived in time to save him.
His legal team had argued Hunter should be given a suspended sentence, in a case which is a legal first in the country.
The house in Tremithousa, Cyprus where Janice Hunter was killed by her husband David
In mitigation last week, his defence lawyer, Ritsa Pekri, said his motive was to “liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions”.
The court heard it was Mrs Hunter’s “wish” to die and that her husband “had only feelings of love for her”.
The couple’s daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, told Sky News after the conviction was handed down: “I’m incredibly relieved that it’s manslaughter rather than murder.
“It’s the best we could have hoped for in the circumstances.”
UK
Strongest solar storm in decades hits Earth – as Northern Lights to return to parts of UK tonight
Earth has been rocked by the first extreme geomagnetic storm in two decades, creating a spectacular light show in UK skies and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere – but also posing a threat to communication networks, navigation systems and power grids.
Elon Musk’s Starlink, which owns around 60% of the estimated 7,500 satellites currently in orbit, providing internet coverage around the world, has warned of a “degraded service” as a result of the phenomena.
Edinburgh. Pic: PA
It was the first G5 or strongest rated geomagnetic storm since 2003, which caused blackouts in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa.
So what caused the extreme geomagnetic storm?
A series of strong solar flares spewed from the Sun’s surface have sent a shockwave of magnetically charged plasma directly at the Earth, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
The resulting collision has caused a major disturbance to our own planet’s magnetic field.
Does it pose a threat?
As well as producing extended vivid displays of colour across the skies in places the aurora borealis or Northern Lights cannot usually be seen, as witnessed in southern England, severe solar storms can also disrupt everyday communication and navigation systems.
See the latest weather forecast where you are
The Sun’s energy has a direct impact on the Earth’s ionosphere, where the planet’s atmosphere meets space.
Changing conditions can affect satellites by increasing drag, while radio and GPS signals that travel through this layer of the atmosphere or rely on bouncing off it can also be disrupted.
Read more on Sky News:
England’s James Anderson announces retirement from Test cricket
Eurovision axes Dutch entry after controversy over ‘incident’
Severe solar storms can also create harmful geomagnetic induced currents in the power grid, leading to blackouts.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Northern Lights from around the world
The largest known geomagnetic event in history, known as the Carrington Event of 1859, caused telegraph machines to spark and catch fire.
How likely is it we will see the Northern Lights above the UK tonight?
Sky News weather presenter Kirsty McCabe, says: “There is a chance – but it’s not as likely as last night so unlikely to be as bright or seen as far south.
“America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classed Friday night’s solar storm as an extreme G5 – the highest level and first observed since 2003.
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
“Saturday night will probably be more like a strong G3.
“You might not be able to see it with the naked eye but use a long exposure on your camera phone and you may be pleasantly surprised. Remember to look north.”
What could prevent it from being seen again?
Crosby Beach, Liverpool. Pic: PA
McCabe says: “You might not be in the right place, northern parts of the UK have a better chance than those further south.
“Plus, light pollution from cities could also spoil your view.
“And of course, the weather needs to play its part – if the skies aren’t clear you won’t see the aurora.
“For many places the weather conditions are looking good, plus it is mild overnight.”
Where is it most likely and between what times?
Whitley Bay. Pic: PA
McCabe says: “The best time to spot them is between 10pm and 2am, so you’ll need to wait until it’s dark.
“Keep an eye on social media for any sightings near you and on UK aurora watch sites.
“The Northern Lights are most likely across Scotland, but as with last night, it is possible to see them further south if the solar activity is strong enough.
“Keep your eyes on the skies.”
A police officer has been shot in the leg with a crossbow during an incident in High Wycombe.
Police say the incident took place as the officer was responding to reports of a man in his 60s suffering a stab wound in the Buckinghamshire town.
A 54-year-old man, from High Wycombe, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Thames Valley Police say he has been taken to hospital under police supervision with potentially life-changing injuries after he was shot by an armed police officer.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe said: “Police officers attended and one was shot in the leg with a crossbow. He was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
“Our thoughts are with the injured officer and we are doing everything to support him and his colleagues, as well as all others affected by the incident within the force.
“The assault victim has also been taken to hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries. Our thoughts are with him as well.”
Read more UK news from Sky News
Two women in their 80s target Magna Carta
Northern Lights visible in England and Wales
He continued: “We are not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident at this time.
“There is a large police presence in the area as a result but there is no ongoing threat to the wider public. Anyone with concerns should speak to a uniformed police officer.”
The force has made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over the incident.
A man has been charged with murdering a 66-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in north London.
Jalal Debella, 22, is accused of killing the woman at around 11.50am on Thursday, in Edgware.
The woman died of stab injuries, police said.
Officers were called to reports of a stabbing in Burnt Oak Broadway and were joined by members of London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, the Metropolitan Police said.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman died at the scene, near the junction of Limesdale Gardens.
Her family has been informed.
Debella was arrested on suspicion of murder in the nearby Colindale later the same day.
Flowers left at a bus stop near the scene. Pic: PA
The suspect is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Environment12 months agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports6 months agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports1 month agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Environment1 year agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Environment1 year agoTesla advances Powerwall pilot project with German electric company