AN elderly pensioner who stabbed his wife to death will not be released from hospital without approval of the Ministry of Justice after a judge decided he poses a high risk of causing harm to the public.

At Manchester Crown Court Judge Alan Conrad QC imposed a hospital order on 89-year-old Arthur Heywood, who killed his 80-year-old wife, Barbara, at their Ramsay Avenue, Farnworth, home the day after their 59th wedding anniversary.

The judge also added a further restriction meaning that Heywood, who has vascular dementia, cannot be allowed to leave the hospital without the authority of the Ministry of Justice.

"In my judgement a Section 41 restriction is appropriate and necessary here for the protection of the public from serious harm," said Judge Conrad.

Heywood, who was deemed unfit to plead because of his mental condition, was found to have killed his wife by a jury following a trial of facts.

The Bolton News:

The court heard how the Heywoods' marriage was failing and Arthur Heywood called emergency services to "take her away" after repeatedly stabbing his wheel-chair-bound wife on the morning on March 27. Since his arrest he has been detained on a psychiatric ward at Kemple View Hospital, Langho.

Psychiatrist Dr Irfan Rafiq told Judge Conrad that the dementia has affected Heywood so that he now seems to show inappropriate emotions.

"When I interviewed him he was very matter-of-fact, displaying very little empathy and emotion. At times he was smiling when talking about this which was very much out of context with what was being discussed because what was being discussed was horrific," said Dr Rafiq.

The Bolton News:

The Heywoods have three children and Rob Hall, prosecuting, read out a victim statement from their daughter Yvonne.

She said: "As a family we have been left absolutely bereft and totally shocked by the tragedy of our mother.

"No one deserves to have their life taken away in the way our father did."

After making the hospital order Judge Conrad commended the Heywood family for the dignified way they conducted themselves during the trial.

And he praised paramedic Luke Mariner who was sent to the house following Arthur Heywood's 999 call.

"He was sent to a situation where there was potentially a man armed with a knife. Knowing that he, nonetheless, went into the house to see if he could save the life of Mrs Heywood," said Judge Conrad.

"He put his concern for his patient above his own safety. and although it turned out Mr Heywood wasn't armed with a knife and sadly, Mrs Heywood couldn't be saved, Luke Mariner was not to know that and in my judgement, He showed great courage and dedication to his duty.

"These remarks should be drawn to the attention of the ambulance service."