Killer's girlfriend died after being left in hot bath and took hours to call 999
An alcoholic whose girlfriend died when he left her in a scalding hot bath and ignored her cries for help has avoided being sent to jail.
Claire Bell suffered third-degree burns to more than 30 per cent of her body following the shocking incident in August 2020. The 42-year-old was pronounced dead hours later.
A jury last year convicted 53-year-old joiner Mark Clowes of gross negligence manslaughter after ruling he took too long to get her out of the bath and then too long to call 999. Now he has today been handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
John Ryder KC, mitigating, said: "This is an extremely unusual case in which the harm caused and negligence proved are completely at odds with the care and devotion the defendant showed to Miss Bell during her life. Had it not been for intoxication this would never have happened.
“The defendant was no more able to control his drinking than Miss Bell. His alcohol dependence amounted to a disorder. He is genetically predisposed to alcohol dependence. His alcoholism is now managed and he is largely abstinent.
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Clare Bell died after taking a scalding hot bath, suffering third degree burns (BirminghamLive/BPM)"He has reconciled himself with the jury's decision and accepted his role in the victim's death. He was remorseful through the interview. He is struggling with the loss of his partner. He has depression and the effect of Miss Bell's death upon him has meant he is currently unfit for work. But he wants to work.
"It is not in the public interest, nor the private interest of Miss Bell's family, to send him immediately to prison."
After hearing pleas from Clowes' legal team for their client to be spared jail, Mr Justice Calver KC handed him a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He said: "This is a very sad case. Clare's death has had and continues to have a very traumatic effect on members of her family.
Police outside the home in Audley (Stoke Sentinel/BPM Media)"You placed her in the bath. The water at some point reached a scorching hot temperature and you failed to help her out when she asked you to do so. She suffered third degree burns to over 30 per cent of her body surface area.
"She was overheard by a neighbour calling out for you to help her out of the bath. He heard you say you would not help her. When you did finally get her out at 11am and put her on the bed, to use your words, she was shedding her skin like a snake.
"You did not call the emergency services until 5.10pm. You went downstairs to watch snooker and paid two more visits to shops to buy more alcohol which you consumed, becoming more drunk. Had you called the emergency services earlier it is possible Clare's life could have been saved. I have no doubt you will carry that thought with you for the rest of your life. By the time the emergency services arrived, just 12 minutes after you called them, Clare was already dead."
The judge said it was a 'one-off lapse in the otherwise satisfactory standard of care'. The suspended sentence order includes a three-month alcohol treatment requirement and a 60-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Mr Justice Calver KC added: "I consider immediate custody would be inappropriate and it would not be in the public interest. There is a realistic prospect of your rehabilitation and that is well underway."
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