A pensioner has today (Monday August 22) admitted killing her husband, by smothering him with a pillow, at their home on an exclusive North East estate, following a row over their finances.

Janet Dunn, now 73, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of husband Anthony Dunn, 81, at their Darras Hall home, in Ponteland, north of Newcastle, in March.

But her plea was tended on the basis that the manslaughter was committed through "diminished responsibility".

Northumbria Police said officers received a report of concern for the welfare of a man at an address in the Northumberland village at about 5.25pm on Tuesday March 15.

Read more: Ponteland: Pensioner in court accused of killing her husband

Although Dunn was not present, it was the couple’s adult daughter who discovered his body and made the call to police.

Emergency services attended the scene, in Beech Court, shortly afterwards and found Mr Dunn dead.

His wife, then aged 72, who had fled the house, was arrested the following day on suspicion of his murder.

The Northern Echo:

Having been subsequently charged, on March 17, she was remanded in custody and denied the offence at a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, in mid-April.

A trial was due to take place lasting five-days-plus, starting at the court today.

But after the defence submitted the guilty plea to manslaughter, on the diminished responsibility basis, behind the scenes discussions took place through the day involving counsel on both sides.

Following an updated report by the prosecution psychiatrist, based on new information provided by his counterpart for the defence, the case came back into court at 4.20pm, when Crown counsel, Peter Glenser QC, said the plea was now “acceptable” to the prosecution.

Judge Paul Sloan asked for updated reports from both the defence and prosecution psychiatrists as to the sentencing options, prior to a hearing on Thursday, when the defendant will learn her fate.

Remanding her to remain in custody, Judge Sloan said he was not giving her any indication as to the likely sentence that he will impose, as he said that would depend on the contents of the updated medical reports.

Following the development, the Northumbria force issued a release to the media.

It stated: “A woman is facing spending the rest of her life behind bars after her husband was found dead in their home earlier this year.

“Mother Janet Dunn appeared at Newcastle Crown Court today (Monday), where she pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

“On March 15, the 73-year-old had been in a disagreement with her husband, Anthony Dunn, 81, over their finances.

“It was reported that Mrs Dunn then found herself holding a pillow over his face and her husband of 53 years, died as a result of her actions.

“She then fled their martial home, leaving their adult daughter to discover his body and call police.

“The following day Mrs Dunn was arrested and was initially charged with murder on March 17.

“Today (Monday), Janet Dunn, of Beech Court, Ponteland, appeared before the court and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.”

Read more: North East pensioner to appear in court charged with the murder of her husband

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, one of the detectives working on the investigation, said: “This has been an incredibly awful case which I’m sure will have shocked the local community, and has resulted in the death of Mr Dunn.

“Our thoughts remain with his family as they continue to come to terms with this tragic incident. This guilty plea will spare them a trial and the added stress that can bring.

“I would like to thank the hard work of all the officers involved. It has been an incredibly difficult investigation but their commitment to finding justice has resulted in a detailed evidential file and a guilty plea.

“Hopefully the family can now look to move forward with their grief and find some closure with this result.

“Mrs Dunn was remanded into custody and is due to be sentenced on August 25.”

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