Mercy killer spared jail term for helping friend, 84, commit suicide

Charity worker Alison Bird, 45, wept as she gave an overdose of painkillers to her 'father figure' George Howell, 84.

Widower Mr Howell, a Navy veteran who fought in the Korean War, had begged her to help him take his own life.

Mother-of-three Ms Bird went to his home with her 13-year-old twins and gave him 40 Co-proxamol tablets before calling an ambulance.

Scroll down for more...

Mr Howell briefly regained consciousness to tell paramedics "I don't want to live" and died later that evening in hospital.

Single mother Ms Bird admitted one count of aiding and abetting suicide at Swindon Crown Court, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

Judge Douglas Field, sentencing her to nine months in prison suspended for one year, described it as a "very sad" case.

He added: "I'm quite satisfied that you were extremely fond of George Howell. He was part of your family and he was treated as a father to you.

"He regarded your boys as his grandchildren and over the years you developed a great deal of affection and love for him.

"When he was 84 and his health was failing he was determined to end his own life and discussed this with you.

"In my judgement he was extremely persistent with you about his desire and put great pressure on you.

"I quite accept that you acted out of your love and affection for him to foolishly help him take his own life.

"I hope your family can put this behind you and rebuild your lives. It must have had a devastating effect on all of you."

The court heard Mr Howell, patron of a charity for disabled children and was widowed in 1992, had a relationship with Alison's grandmother Joan, then in her 80s, until her death four years ago.

He was a father figure to Alison but in the last few months of his life, with failing eyesight and mobility problems, he repeatedly threatened to kill himself.

Mark Ruffell, defending, said: "He had to give up his car because of mobility problems, his eyesight was failing and his world was shrinking."

He added that "strong-willed" Mr Howell had told his nephew and other family members that he would kill himself rather than lose his independence, and that his family felt "trust and respect" for Ms Bird.

On the night of the overdose, May 30, 2007, he had telephoned Ms Bird threatening to kill himself.

She went to his home, which is near hers in Chippenham, Wilts., with her sons Jordan and Jake, and he asked Alison to fetch his painkiller tablets.

Adam Vaitilingam , prosecuting, read Alison Bird's statement to police immediately after his death in which she described their last conversation.

She told police: "He said he was going to take his tablets and that would be the end of it.

"We had a cuddle and he went to see my kids, to say goodbye to them. We were all in tears, my kids were in tears and so was I.

"He wanted to take the tablets and I thought 'He can't do this on his own'. He was crying and totally upset.

"He had some whisky and asked me to put the tablets in a glass. I did and he had about 40 tablets, which with the alcohol, caused his death."

Ms Bird - who was also three times over the drink-drive limit - called an ambulance to his home as soon as Mr Howell lost consciousness.

Mr Ruffell, defending, said: "She didn't want him to take the tablets and tried to talk him out of it, but he went on at her and eventually she gave in.

"She had been drinking, which must have impaired her judgement and made her even more emotional in the circumstances. She thinks it might have made her more prone to giving in.

"Nonetheless, as soon as he looked like he was asleep she called an ambulance to his home. "Mr Howell regained consciousness and told paramedics "I don't want to live, and as soon as I'm out of hospital

Ms Bird, who was also handed a 12-month supervision order, will not pay costs.