MAN JAILED FOR SMOTHERING MOTHER
A man named Robert Archbold, aged 49, was handed a 13-year prison term after being found guilty of manslaughter in the case of his 77-year-old mother, Jane Archbold.The incident took place at their family home in Ambleside, Cumbria.
During the trial, Archbold confessed to suffocating his mother by placing his hand over her mouth "to shut her up" during an argument.
He had previously admitted to killing her on the grounds of diminished responsibility but denied the charge of murder during proceedings at Preston crown court.
He was located about three hours after the incident in a woodland near Old Farm Cottage in Outgate, on 22 August of the previous year.
In police interviews, he stated: "I have a done a terrible thing, I have killed my mother," and claimed, "My mother made me do it.
She kept on saying 'Kill, kill,' so I did." The postmortem report confirmed Jane Archbold had sustained 15 abrasions on her head and face, indicating she had been smothered.
After the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Bob Qazi stated: "Archbold accepted from the beginning that he was responsible for his mother's death.
It appears he was dealing with personal difficulties, which led him to assault her, resulting in her asphyxiation.
This case has been tragic for everyone involved, and our thoughts are with Mrs.
Archbold's family."
