retired British miner is “not permitting himself to get his hopes up” as Cypriot judges put together to condemn him for the manslaughter of his terminally unwell spouse, his daughter has stated.
David Hunter, 76, could possibly depart jail this week after being cleared of the extra severe cost of premeditated homicide.
The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, had been on trial for killing his partner of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their residence close to the coastal resort city of Paphos in December 2021.
Hunter, who has been in custody for 19 months, instructed the courtroom she “cried and begged” him to finish her life as she suffered from blood most cancers.
His authorized staff shall be arguing he ought to be given a suspended sentence and that there’s “no level in preserving him in jail any longer”.
The couple’s daughter Lesley Cawthorne stated the household was “apprehensive” forward of the sentencing listening to, which begins on Thursday and is anticipated to final no less than two days.
She instructed the PA information company: “We hope for time served or a suspended sentence however are very conscious that there’s an opportunity he’ll stay in custody. We’re not counting our chickens.”
Ms Cawthorne stated her father had been “quietly relieved” since final week’s verdict, however was “not particularly” hopeful about his sentence.
“He doesn’t wish to permit himself to get his hopes up.
“He’s grateful that the judges appear to have understood what they went by and imagine that he acted out of affection.”
There isn’t any level in preserving David in jail any longer
Michael Polak, director of Justice Overseas, which is representing Hunter, instructed PA: “On this case we’re placing ahead case legislation kind throughout widespread legislation jurisdictions similar to Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK provided that no circumstances similar to this have ever been handled in Cyprus.
“In these jurisdictions, the courts have discovered that suspended sentences are acceptable the place the information are much like these in David’s case.
“Final week the courtroom present in David’s favour on all issues together with that Janice had requested that he assist her die, that he had acted due to his love for her, and that he then tried to finish his personal life.
“We shall be submitting to the courtroom {that a} suspended sentence is suitable on this case, given the kind of offence, David’s age, the truth that he has spent 19 months in custody, and his earlier good character.
“There isn’t any level in preserving David in jail any longer.”
In Might, Hunter broke down in tears as he instructed his trial, which lasted greater than a yr, that he would “by no means in 1,000,000 years” have taken his spouse’s life until she had requested him to.
He added: “She wasn’t simply my spouse, she was my finest pal.”
Hunter confirmed the courtroom how he held his fingers over his spouse’s mouth and nostril and stated he ultimately determined to grant his spouse’s want after she grew to become “hysterical”.
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