Son jailed after killing mother

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/shropshire/7245387.stm

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A 64-year-old man has been sentenced to nearly three years in jail after admitting strangling his mother.

Edward William Purcell, of Tentree Croft, Wellington, Shropshire, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 85-year-old mother Marjorie.

Stafford Crown Court heard how Mrs Purcell had suffered from dementia and her son had acted as her carer.

Purcell admitted putting his hands about her throat to silence her in July 2007 but did not mean to kill her.

She died of injuries sustained in the incident, the court heard.

'Sad and tragic'

Purcell had been living with his mother at her home in Meadcroft, Madeley, for several months before the incident, the court heard.

He was sentenced to a total of two years and eight months in prison.

Outside court, Det Ch Insp Dave Morgan, from West Mercia Police, said it had been a "very sad and tragic case".

He said: "We have liaised with the family of Marjorie Purcell throughout the investigation and our thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."