Pensioner escapes jail over wife's poisoned tea - News - Evening Standard
       

Pensioner escapes jail over wife's poisoned tea

A pensioner who gave his estranged wife a poisoned chalice in a misguided attempt to woo her escaped jail today.

William Dowling, 69, of Colne, Lancashire, slipped mercury into Maureen Dowling's tea on at least five occasions because he planned to win her affection, when she became ill, by nursing her back to health.

Dowling received a 350-day prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Preston Crown Court today. Judge Robert Brown also imposed an 18-month supervision order.

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