BRISTOL MAN JAILED FOR KILLING WIFE OVER HOME REPOSSESSION
In Bristol, Peter Hicks, aged 64, pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife, Marlene, which occurred on 15 November of the previous year.
Evidence presented in court indicated that the couple, who shared a close relationship, ran into financial trouble with their flower business, a debt secured against their residence in Air Balloon Road, St George.
Facing imminent repossession and potentially having concealed information from his wife, Hicks decided to end her life by strangulation using a dressing gown cord.
Judge Neil Ford QC described the act as 'a deeply selfish act' and emphasised that Hicks had 'no chance' and had 'needlessly taken her life.' The court heard that Hicks was suffering from some form of depression at the time of the incident.
Hicks had contacted police voluntarily to confess and was only initially unwilling to reveal his location.
After a police search, he was arrested in Devon and Cornwall.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 13 years, after deducting the days he had already served.
The family of the victim expressed their sorrow and gratitude towards the police.
The judge also acknowledged Hicks’s remorse, stating he felt 'self-loathing' and that he had contemplated taking his own life if he had the chance.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
d was only initially unwilling to reveal his location. After a police search, he was arrested in Devon and Cornwall. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 13 years, after deducting the days he had already serve...
Life or indeterminate sentence
13 years
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 13 years, after deducting the days he had already served
Prison sentence
13 years
He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum sentence of 13 years, after deducting the days he had already served
