Man cleared over wife's suicide

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bradford/6279281.stm

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A man who drove his wife to a viaduct where she leapt 100ft to her death has been cleared of aiding and abetting her suicide in June last year.

Father of two David Stephenson, 49, of Mires Beck Close, Shipley, West Yorkshire, had denied knowing his wife was going to jump off the bridge.

The body of Linda Stephenson, 47, was found on the banks of the River Don between Conisbrough and Cadeby Quarry.

The jury returned their not guilty verdict after three hours deliberation.

When the foreman of the jury delivered the verdict following the four-day trial Mr Stephenson closed his eyes, clasped both hands to his chest and whispered "yes".

Before the judge Michael Murphy allowed Mr Stephenson to leave the dock he told him to seek help.

The judge said: "I honour the verdict of the jury but I feel, having heard what I have heard in this case, that you could do with serious help in your life.

"It is all very well being a private person, but you can't be that private that facing the adversities that you face, you face them entirely on your own.

"You need help. Go and get it."