Family of Williamina Valentine vow to forgive her killer

Jun 30 2009 The Journal

“We welcome the fact a hospital order has been imposed and David will get the help and support he needs under the care of a psychiatric team we trust.

“We believe that knowing mum, she would not want our family to be defined by this one act, no matter how horrendous. We were a happy loving family who willingly supported each other through all sorts of hard times. We are determined to do that again and to come out the other side of this stronger, not broken. Because that’s what mum would want.”

Christopher Knox, prosecuting, said: “In a time between 5pm and 5.30pm whatever caused the defendant to do what he did occurred.

“At 5.36pm the defendant telephoned 999 and told the police operator he had just killed his mother. He said he had smothered her, putting a cushion over her face.”

He added: “Her face had apparently been pushed down between the cushions.”

Valentine, who was fascinated with the military and frustrated that he had never been able to enlist full-time, later told police and doctors he had been thinking about ending his mother’s life for several months.

Mr Knox said: “The deceased and the defendant were seen on numerous occasions in the few days before the killing – by neighbours, doctors, family members, and carers – and nobody appears to have seen anything which would have put them on notice the defendant was in the mental state to do what he actually did.”

Neither Valentine himself nor psychiatrists who have examined him since he was transferred from Durham Prison to St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, have been able to fully explain what triggered the killing, the court heard.

Imposing a Hospital Order, Judge David Hodson described the case as a “tragedy” and added: “You were devoted to your mother as you had been to your father. You did all you could to make her life the more bearable.

“Quite why in the space of that half hour you did what you did is unknown to all concerned but it may be you finally cracked.”

Judge Hodson said Valentine would remain in St Nicholas’ and did not pose a risk of serious harm to others.

Jamie Hill QC, defending, said the evidence from all who knew Valentine painted a picture of a “loving” son.

“It’s clear in the weeks leading up to this terrible event the defendant was under considerable pressure,” Mr Hill said.

“His mother’s health was deteriorating quite rapidly, she had suffered a fall and developed an infection, he was spending more and more time watching over her.

“He acted in a way which was completely against his nature. The overwhelming evidence is he is not a man normally given to violence.”