SUFFOLK MAN WHO SHOT WIFE TWICE IS DETAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL
A man who shot his wife dead in their home in Barham, Suffolk, has been sentenced to be detained in a mental health hospital.Peter Hartshorne-Jones, 52, was convicted after he shot his wife, Silke, 42, twice as she lay in bed, with the court examining his mental health history.
The court heard that Hartshorne-Jones believed he was ill with Covid-19, which contributed to his actions.
Despite his claims of illness, there was no clinical evidence he had Covid-19.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 3 last year.
Hartshorne-Jones later contacted police and stated he had not intended to kill his wife.
The court also learned that he had made contact with various care providers 26 times over a 42-day period prior to the shooting.
On March 29, he left a voicemail saying he was anxious and that this was "driving Silke crazy," claiming he felt unwell with a chest infection he believed was Covid-19.
The judge noted that the defendant complained that his wife had not paid him enough attention regarding his supposed Covid-19 illness, though there was no evidence supporting his claims.
Hartshorne-Jones had a history of mental health issues, including a depressive illness lasting over a decade, and had previously lied on firearms forms.
He was a licensed gun dealer who had held a shotgun certificate since 2000, renewed in 2015.
The court emphasized that the defendant had not disclosed his mental health history when acquiring firearms.
He was found to have an abnormality of mental functioning and was initially convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility.
The judge stated that it was impossible to reliably estimate when he would no longer pose a danger.
Consequently, Hartshorne-Jones was sentenced under the Mental Health Act to a hybrid order of life with a minimum of eight years, with detention in a mental health hospital.
He may be transferred to prison if he is deemed well enough.
The judge described the case as "tragic" and commended the dignity of Silke Hartshorne-Jones' family.
Senior Investigating Officer Karl Nightingale commented on the devastation caused and the profound impact on their children.
The incident is considered "unthinkable" by authorities.
