Family of Williamina Valentine vow to forgive her killer

Jun 30 2009 The Journal

THE family of a pensioner who was suffocated by her doting son spoke of their heartache last night – and vowed to forgive her tragic killer.

David Valentine devoted his life to “lovingly” care for his 84-year-old mother Williamina after she was widowed in 2006. He even went without sleep to make sure the tube feeding her oxygen did not fall out during the night.

But the former TA recruit – who has a long history of psychotic mental illness – had secretly been thinking about killing her, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

He missed medication, including Lithium injections, which he had been taking for years to control his condition.

And on December 4 last year with his mother’s health rapidly failing, Valentine, 47, suddenly suffocated her at the home they shared in Cleghorn Street, Heaton, Newcastle.

But last night, in a joint statement released by son Brian Valentine and daughter Susan Soroczan, Mrs Valentine’s family described their brother as “kind, caring and loving”.

They said: “The events of December last year were a tragedy for us all, including David. We loved our mum with all of our hearts and doubt that we will ever be able to fully come to terms with the manner of her death.

“However, we do believe there can be forgiveness and redemption and we do love David. The love and care David lavished on our mum – and our dad prior to that – was second to none.

“Everyone, including family, friends, and neighbours, have given the police the same picture of David – a kind, caring, loving person who would do anything for anyone.”

Officers found Mrs Valentine, who had a severe heart condition, on her knees in front of a sofa in the living room. Yesterday a judge ruled Valentine should be detained in a secure hospital for treatment.

He had previously admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Last night Valentine’s family lent their support to their brother and said their family would not be broken.

They said: “He has suffered from mental illness for more than 20 years and nothing even remotely like this has ever happened before. We firmly believe that whatever happened that night was a one-off aberration precipitated by years of pressure.