RICHARD WALLACH FROM TOXTETH SENTENCED FOR GROSS NEGLECT THAT LED TO WIFE'S DEATH IN LIVERPOOL
| Red Rose Database
Toxteth Elder Abuser Domestic Homicide
Richard Wallach, a 67-year-old man residing in Toxteth, was formally sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of gross neglect manslaughter. The case revealed a tragic story of neglect and failure to care for his wife, Valerie, who was found in a state of extreme suffering within their home.
According to court proceedings, Wallach’s neglect was so severe that it ultimately resulted in her death. Valerie, aged 61, had a long history of health issues, including osteoporosis, arthritis, obesity, and depression. Despite her fragile health, her husband failed to provide adequate care, leading to her living in conditions described as appalling by emergency responders.
When authorities entered the residence, they encountered a scene of utter chaos and squalor. The house was filled with rotting food, accumulated rubbish, and a pervasive, overpowering stench that made access difficult. Inside, Valerie was found sitting helplessly in a leather chair, her body covered in maggot-infested wounds, with skin ulcers and swollen legs bearing open sores. She had been left sitting in urine and feces for an extended period, possibly weeks or even months. Paramedics and firefighters described her condition as one of extreme neglect, with her skin decaying and her overall health deteriorating rapidly.
Valerie was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where medical staff discovered her in a dire state. Her teeth were decayed, and she was in significant pain, unable to speak properly. Despite the severity of her condition and being informed that her prognosis was poor, Wallach displayed a dismissive attitude. He reportedly responded to her critical condition with indifference, stating, “Thanks for letting me know but who is going to sort out my problem, I have been constipated for weeks.”
Tragically, Valerie succumbed to her injuries and health complications 19 days later, on September 12, 2017. The cause of death was determined to be multiple organ failure, compounded by advanced breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain, spine, and ribs. It was also revealed that Wallach had been receiving a carer’s allowance for her, but these payments had ceased six weeks prior to her death, raising questions about the level of ongoing support and oversight.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, condemned Wallach’s behavior, describing him as “self-obsessed” and “a thoroughly selfish man.” The judge emphasized that Wallach’s selfishness and neglect were directly responsible for his wife’s death. The jury took less than three hours to find him guilty of gross neglect manslaughter.
Throughout the proceedings, Wallach maintained that he was unaware of the extent of her injuries, claiming, “I do not recall those injuries at all,” and insisted that he had done his best to care for her. The evidence presented painted a grim picture of neglect, with descriptions of rotting food, feces, and maggots in the home, illustrating the extent of the medical and environmental neglect that contributed to her death.
In his defense, Wallach’s legal team highlighted his troubled background, noting his isolated lifestyle in Toxteth and the lack of social or familial support. They argued that his actions were not driven by malicious intent but by social isolation and neglect. Nonetheless, the court found the level of neglect to be “extremely bad” and “reprehensible,” leading to the eight-year prison sentence, which reflects the seriousness of his misconduct and the tragic consequences for Valerie.
According to court proceedings, Wallach’s neglect was so severe that it ultimately resulted in her death. Valerie, aged 61, had a long history of health issues, including osteoporosis, arthritis, obesity, and depression. Despite her fragile health, her husband failed to provide adequate care, leading to her living in conditions described as appalling by emergency responders.
When authorities entered the residence, they encountered a scene of utter chaos and squalor. The house was filled with rotting food, accumulated rubbish, and a pervasive, overpowering stench that made access difficult. Inside, Valerie was found sitting helplessly in a leather chair, her body covered in maggot-infested wounds, with skin ulcers and swollen legs bearing open sores. She had been left sitting in urine and feces for an extended period, possibly weeks or even months. Paramedics and firefighters described her condition as one of extreme neglect, with her skin decaying and her overall health deteriorating rapidly.
Valerie was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital, where medical staff discovered her in a dire state. Her teeth were decayed, and she was in significant pain, unable to speak properly. Despite the severity of her condition and being informed that her prognosis was poor, Wallach displayed a dismissive attitude. He reportedly responded to her critical condition with indifference, stating, “Thanks for letting me know but who is going to sort out my problem, I have been constipated for weeks.”
Tragically, Valerie succumbed to her injuries and health complications 19 days later, on September 12, 2017. The cause of death was determined to be multiple organ failure, compounded by advanced breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain, spine, and ribs. It was also revealed that Wallach had been receiving a carer’s allowance for her, but these payments had ceased six weeks prior to her death, raising questions about the level of ongoing support and oversight.
During the trial at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, condemned Wallach’s behavior, describing him as “self-obsessed” and “a thoroughly selfish man.” The judge emphasized that Wallach’s selfishness and neglect were directly responsible for his wife’s death. The jury took less than three hours to find him guilty of gross neglect manslaughter.
Throughout the proceedings, Wallach maintained that he was unaware of the extent of her injuries, claiming, “I do not recall those injuries at all,” and insisted that he had done his best to care for her. The evidence presented painted a grim picture of neglect, with descriptions of rotting food, feces, and maggots in the home, illustrating the extent of the medical and environmental neglect that contributed to her death.
In his defense, Wallach’s legal team highlighted his troubled background, noting his isolated lifestyle in Toxteth and the lack of social or familial support. They argued that his actions were not driven by malicious intent but by social isolation and neglect. Nonetheless, the court found the level of neglect to be “extremely bad” and “reprehensible,” leading to the eight-year prison sentence, which reflects the seriousness of his misconduct and the tragic consequences for Valerie.