Pensioner, 85, jailed after murdering his wife with hammer & chisel at home
A pensioner who brutally killed his wife who had dementia with a hammer and chisel has been jailed for at least ten years.
John Berry, 85, admitted murdering his wife of 61 years, Edna, aged 80, with tools from the garage of their home.
The grandfather from Essex said he had “lost his temper” with his wife after she fell then "kicked and scratched him" when he went to help her. She had been diagnosed with dementia two years prior.
Mr Berry called 999 himself after carrying out a violent attack on his wife Edna at their bungalow in Turpins Close, Clacton-on-Sea, on February 21, 2023, Essex Live reports. Edna was rushed to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge for treatment but died from her injuries.
A court in Chelmsford was told that Edna had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in March 2021 - an illness which "progressively" got worse over time. Berry, who was Edna's primary carer, told police he had "lost his temper" after she had "kicked and scratched him".
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Judge Christopher Morgan said Berry had "stubbornly" declined extra support and described the case as an "utter tragedy". The court heard that on the morning of the attack, Berry had called a care home two hours before he would dial 999 having attacked his wife with a bat, hammer and a chisel.
Berry was standing outside the couple's home when emergency services arrived at the scene whilst his wife was found on their bedroom floor. Mr Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court that Berry had "lost his temper" and had decided to kill his wife after she had attacked him following a fall.
The pensioner wore a blue jacket and was assisted by a family member during part of the hearing. He sat quietly and with little reaction.
Mr Jackson described the brutal attack and said: "At that stage [she was] fatally injured with obvious injuries but just about alive. She was heard to call out to her husband at that point."
A post-mortem examination found it "impossible to calculate" the precise number of injuries Edna sustained but estimated there were "at least 14". It was said that Berry had used the flat edge of a hammer on a chisel to cause damage to Edna's head.
"He said he went to the garage and in there he selected a hammer and returned with it and hit his wife with it several times. Asked [by police] how much force he used he said 'obviously not enough'."
Mr Jackson continued: "He said he had simply lost his temper and that if he had a gun it would be quicker and better for his wife. He said 'It's entirely my fault, she did not deserve it and there's no excuse'.
It was said that Berry, who admitted to killing his wife, was suffering from a type of stress disorder when he carried out the attack. Ms Laurie-Anne Power KC, of the defence, said the events leading to Edna's death had been "far from straight forward".
The court was told that Berry had lost "a number of close family members" in the months leading up to the fatal attack. This included the loss of one individual whose funeral Berry had to watch on a livestream.
Ms Power KC continued, saying: "It appears as though it would be difficult to find a more devoted and caring husband. They had been retired for a number of years and he spent many years looking after her as her dementia got progressively worse."
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"They had made a pact to each other that they would not put each other in a care home," Ms Power KC added. "This was made clear to many people that they did not want to go to one.
"The impact of what has happened cannot be understated but it can be said that all those who know him will all, with the benefit of hindsight, say that perhaps more could be done to support Berry over the years in relation to supporting him and in the lead up to the death of his wife.
"We submit that although misguided, it was a mercy act and that it was done not just about bringing the end of her suffering but also of his own."
Berry, who wore a blue jumper for the hearing, was supported by his daughter who sat next to him during the hearing before he was instructed to enter the secure dock for the sentencing.
Delivering his sentencing, Judge Morgan said: "Both you and Edna worked hard to provide for the family and in due course were supportive and loving towards grandchildren. In return, you were both loved and these words cover the tragedy of this case. This was a loving relationship and you were both devoted to each other."
Judge Morgan referenced a visit from a nurse who suggested that Edna's increasingly confused state could be down to a urinary infection. He said: "I observe that the day you killed Edna you had indeed gone to the chemist.
"All these matters demonstrate the love between the two of you and the devotion you had towards her and her care. It's clear that you cared for Edna with her daily needs as her condition progressively deteriorated and tried to make her life comfortable. What was unknown to others was the matters in your life."
He added: "Help was available, especially in the days leading up to the killing you. You stubbornly refused this, enquiring only on the morning of the killing.
"I'm satisfied that realisation to find outside assistance had come and increased your feelings of helplessness and inability to cope."
Berry, 85, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of ten years before being considered for parole. He showed no reaction as he was instructed to be taken into custody.
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