Sleepwalker found not guilty of wife's death

Last updated 13:32 21/11/2009

Relevant offers

A British man who said he strangled his wife during a nightmare about fighting off an intruder has been found not guilty in her death.

Prosecutors had originally asked Brian Thomas be found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2008 death of his wife, Christine, and be sent to a psychiatric hospital.
  
On Friday chief prosecutor Iwan Jenkins said ``it is now clear that the psychiatrists feel that that would serve no useful purpose and the risk of reoccurrence is very, very small.''

The judge ordered the jury return a verdict of not guilty. Thomas, of south Wales, had accepted he killed his wife of 40 years.

The jury was told that Thomas, 59, had a sleep disorder and was in a state of automatism - where his mind had no control over his body - when he strangled Christine.

Ad Feedback

- AP

Special offers

Featured Promotions

Sponsored Content

Voyages blog pointer small

Blog: US/NZ - a cultural conversation

The different states of America

Game Junkie

Game Junkie - Gerard Campbell's gaming blog

Road trips and mobile games

Drivetalk small pointer Feb2011

Drivetalk: Dave Moore's blog on cars and driving

Bikers and drivers - pull yourselves together