A pensioner who cut his terminally-ill wife's throat in a failed suicide pact will walk free from court after being handed a suspended jail sentence.
Graham Mansfield, 73, said he killed cancer-stricken Dyanne Mansfield, 71, in an "act of love" months after she asked him to take her life "when things get bad for me". The retired airport baggage handler told Manchester Crown Crown they were the "saddest words he had ever heard" but agreed to his wife's request as long as he could kill himself too.
On Thursday a jury of 10 men and two women took 90 minutes to find Mansfield not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Mansfield was later sentenced to two years in jail, suspended for two years.
READ MORE: Man, 73, who slit wife's throat in failed suicide pact found guilty of manslaughter
On the morning of March 24 last year, he was found lying in a pool of blood at the couple's home in Hale, Greater Manchester, while the body of Mrs Mansfield was found in a chair at the bottom of their garden. Police and paramedics attended the semi-detached property in Canterbury Road after Mansfield dialled 999 and told the operator he had killed his wife of 40 years at 9pm the previous day before trying to kill himself.
At the couple's home, a written note by the defendant for the police was discovered. The note said: "We have decided to take our own lives". It also gave instructions on where to find his house keys and how to contact his sister, the court heard.
Another note written by Mansfield, addressed to his family, was found in an envelope in the house. It read: "We are sorry to burden you with this but there is no other way. We made a pact that when it got too bad for Dyanne we would end it.
"I couldn't bear to live without Dyanne and as the months progressed and as things got worse, it only reinforced our decision that the time has arrived. We hope you all understand.
"Don't get too upset. We have had a wonderful and happy life together."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
B&M fined £1m as electrician's body 'blew up to four times its normal size'
Mum's Homebase garden furniture randomly burst into flames and set house on fire
Beloved lost restaurant chain known for its steaks and gateau
Pensioner bitten by 'pitbull' in attack leaving gaping wound
Sister of swimmer missing in River Mersey believe he's 'out there fighting'
