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Tania Clarence sentenced for children's manslaughter Tania Clarence sentenced for children's manslaughter
(35 minutes later)
A woman who killed her three children by smothering them has been detained under a hospital order.A woman who killed her three children by smothering them has been detained under a hospital order.
Tania Clarence, 43, of New Malden, south-west London, admitted the manslaughter of three-year-old twin sons Ben and Max, and daughter Olivia, aged four, due to diminished responsibility.Tania Clarence, 43, of New Malden, south-west London, admitted the manslaughter of three-year-old twin sons Ben and Max, and daughter Olivia, aged four, due to diminished responsibility.
The children, who all had type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, were found at their home on 22 April.The children, who all had type 2 spinal muscular atrophy, were found at their home on 22 April.
She was sentenced at the Old Bailey.She was sentenced at the Old Bailey.
During sentencing Mr Justice Sweeney said Clarence had been "overwhelmed" by her family's situation. Mr Justice Sweeney told Clarence she would not be released until she had recuperated from her illness.
He told the court she had a history of mental illness and was vulnerable at the time but had been of previous good character. During sentencing he said the mother had been "overwhelmed" by her family's situation including witnessing medical interventions and procedures she felt were unnecessary.
During a mitigation hearing, prior to the sentencing, the court heard that after the killings Clarence took painkiller tablets and drank a bottle of wine in a suicide bid. He told the court she had a history of mental illness and was vulnerable at the time but had been of previous good character and there was "clear and convincing" evidence she was suffering a "major depressive episode".
Clarence's husband Gary had taken the couple's eldest daughter on a holiday to South Africa a few days earlier, leaving the mother alone with the other three children in New Malden. He said: "The prosecution accept that you loved all four of your children.
"Indeed, there is substantial body of evidence that they were happy and well looked after and you were grief-stricken that Olivia, Max and Ben were destined to die early and before you."
During a mitigation hearing, prior to the sentencing, the court heard that after the killings Clarence took painkiller tablets and drank a bottle of wine in a suicide bid. She was discovered at home bleeding and crying.
Her husband Gary had taken the couple's eight-year-old daughter, who was not disabled, on a holiday to South Africa a few days earlier, leaving the mother alone with the other three children in New Malden.
She had given the nanny a day off.She had given the nanny a day off.
At a pervious hearing the Old Bailey heard that doctors dealing with the family, had raised concerns about neglect.
Prosecutor Zoe Johnson QC, told the court up to 60 professionals were involved in the care of Clarence and her children, sometimes visiting the family home unannounced.
The court heard doctors were considering "child protection measures on the basis of neglect" and there was a "fundamental tension" between the couple and medical staff over care recommendations.
Mr Justice Sweeney added that while the Old Bailey was "not the forum" to judge the conduct of the health professionals and social workers involved, the effect of their actions on Clarence's state of mind was an "important factor".
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)