MICHAEL HUBBARD'S FATAL ATTACK IN BROOKE, NORFOLK

Michael Hubbard, an 81-year-old man diagnosed with dementia, carried out a fatal assault on his wife, Hilda, aged 76, at their sheltered housing bungalow in Brooke, Norfolk, in September 2018. Reports state that the attack was a 'sudden violent attack' that could not have been predicted beforehand. Neighbors saw Mrs. Hubbard attempting to leave the residence, prompting emergency services to be called. Tragically, she was found dead at the scene, lying in her doorway. During the incident, armed police arrived after Mr. Hubbard refused to put down two knives and tried to stab himself in the chest. Authorities responded by using rubber bullets to subdue him. The couple, known for their independence and pride in their children's achievements—who had all earned master's degrees—were fondly known to ride a scooter and sidecar together, affectionately naming it Wallace and Gromit. Mrs. Hubbard’s family believes that professional help might have prevented the tragedy had she accepted assistance with her husband's care. However, despite regular contact, her GP could not have foreseen the attack. Mr. Hubbard was arrested and initially charged with murder but was deemed unfit to plead following psychiatric evaluation and is now detained in a mental health secure unit. The Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership conducted a domestic homicide review, which noted that there were no signs of domestic violence or abuse prior to her death. The review acknowledged that Mrs. Hubbard was vulnerable to changes in her husband's behavior related to his dementia, but such changes could not have been predicted by professionals, especially given the rural setting. The report emphasized that there was no evidence of domestic violence or coercion, highlighting the unpredictable and tragic nature of this incident.