NOTTINGHAMSHIRE FARMER PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING WIFE AMID FLOOD FIXATION
A farmer aged 72, who was previously found unfit to face trial, has admitted responsibility for the killing of his wife.Peter Thurgarland underwent psychiatric treatment and was only declared fit to stand trial after a court assessment.
An earlier hearing confirmed that Thurgarland was responsible for Julia Thurgarland’s death at their farm in Nottinghamshire.
He is expected to return to Nottingham Crown Court in October for further proceedings.
During a hearing held in May, prosecutor Michael Auty QC explained that the couple’s home in Maplebeck experienced flooding in 2007, causing them to reside in a temporary caravan for approximately 18 months.
During this period, Thurgarland suffered a mental disturbance and became preoccupied with flooding concerns.
It emerged that he had attempted to suffocate his wife with a pillow two weeks before her death and had a scheduled psychiatric assessment on December 28, the day she died.
Once deemed mentally fit, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.
The case has been adjourned until October 11 to allow for additional mental health evaluations and assessments.
