ELDERLY MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL WIFE MURDER IN BLACKPOOL
A 76-year-old man named Frederick Gilliard has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of murdering his wife, Josephine.The fatal event took place at their home in Blackpool on February 5, when Gilliard attacked her using a garden statue resembling an Easter Island head and caused numerous stab wounds.
During court proceedings, Gilliard pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, explaining that he was experiencing a depressive episode at the time of the assault.
The court was informed that Gilliard had been battling depression and had discontinued his prescribed medication prior to the incident.
He described the attack as a moment of 'losing it' following a heated argument with his wife, who was married to him for over fifty years.
Mrs.
Gilliard sustained fatal injuries, including severe head trauma and ten stab wounds to her neck, chest, and abdomen, inflicted with an eight-inch carving knife.
The post-mortem report confirmed her death was caused by multiple stab wounds.
Gilliard, a military veteran decorated for his service in the RAF for 27 years, including during the Aden conflict, was part of a family described as a 'decent, hardworking couple' who had four children and three grandchildren.
The judge highlighted the devastating effect of the tragedy on their family, stating, 'This is a terrible tragedy which has affected all of your family and you, and must have inflicted considerable emotional damage which can never be repaired.' Gilliard had previously acknowledged that his depression played a role in the violence.
