ESSEX SON GETS SUSPENDED JAIL FOR PUSHING TERMINALLY ILL MOTHER TO HER DEATH
A son who intentionally pushed his terminally ill mother from a fire escape at Langley Lodge Care Home in Essex has received a suspended prison sentence.
Robert Knight, aged 53, admitted to the manslaughter of 79-year-old June Knight and was acquitted of murder charges.
The incident took place on December 10, when Knight, her sole child, carried her through a fire door and then pushed her off a balcony that measured 13ft 6in (4.1m), causing severe brain injuries that led to her death at the scene.
During the sentencing at Basildon Crown Court, Judge Samantha Leigh stated that Knight’s actions stemmed from love and desperation, telling him, “You are someone who acted out of love and desperation.
You have been punished enough and you have to live with what you have done.” She characterized the case as very tragic and described it as a "mercy killing." After the incident, Knight instructed staff to call the police and remained at the scene until officers arrived.
He told police he did not want his mother to suffer in pain due to a winter virus she had contracted.
The court recognized that Knight acted out of a loss of control and sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with requirements including 60 days of rehabilitative work.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
r in pain due to a winter virus she had contracted. The court recognized that Knight acted out of a loss of control and sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with requirements including 60 days of rehabilit...
Suspended sentence
A son who intentionally pushed his terminally ill mother from a fire escape at Langley Lodge Care Home in Essex has received a suspended prison sentence
Prison sentence
two years
The court recognized that Knight acted out of a loss of control and sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with requirements including 60 days of rehabilitative work
Suspended sentence
two years
The court recognized that Knight acted out of a loss of control and sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended for two years, along with requirements including 60 days of rehabilitative work
