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Man admits shooting dead wife at Essex care home Man admits shooting wife dead at Essex care home
(35 minutes later)
An elderly man has admitted shooting dead his wife at a care home just days after Christmas.An elderly man has admitted shooting dead his wife at a care home just days after Christmas.
Ronald King, 87, denied murdering Rita, 81, whose severe dementia had worsened in the month before her death at the home in Essex where she was a permanent resident.Ronald King, 87, denied murdering Rita, 81, whose severe dementia had worsened in the month before her death at the home in Essex where she was a permanent resident.
Ronald King, of Walton-on-the-Naze, appeared at Chelmsford crown court on Monday where he pleaded guilty tomanslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility or by survivor of a suicide pact, court staff said. Ronald King, of Walton-on-the-Naze, appeared at Chelmsford crown court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility or by survivor of a suicide pact, court staff said.
He shot his wife of 50 years in the communal television room of De La Mer House in Walton-on-the-Naze on 28 December.He shot his wife of 50 years in the communal television room of De La Mer House in Walton-on-the-Naze on 28 December.
Police and paramedics arrived shortly after 9am and Rita King was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was later arrested and charged.Police and paramedics arrived shortly after 9am and Rita King was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was later arrested and charged.
Earlier court hearings had faced delays as Ronald King, who has only one arm and limited mobility, could not be brought from the cells because he uses a wheelchair.Earlier court hearings had faced delays as Ronald King, who has only one arm and limited mobility, could not be brought from the cells because he uses a wheelchair.
DI Alan Pitcher of Essex police said: “Ronald King has today pleaded guilty to manslaughter after killing his wife, Rita King.DI Alan Pitcher of Essex police said: “Ronald King has today pleaded guilty to manslaughter after killing his wife, Rita King.
“I would like to pay tribute to Ronald and Rita’s families for the support that they have provided to our investigation and the dignity that they have shown throughout.“I would like to pay tribute to Ronald and Rita’s families for the support that they have provided to our investigation and the dignity that they have shown throughout.
“This is a particularly sad and tragic case and my thoughts are very much with them at this time. I would urge the media to continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.”“This is a particularly sad and tragic case and my thoughts are very much with them at this time. I would urge the media to continue to respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Speaking after the hearing, Rita King’s family said: “The tragedy of what happened has had an impact on the whole family. We are a large but close family.Speaking after the hearing, Rita King’s family said: “The tragedy of what happened has had an impact on the whole family. We are a large but close family.
“We would never have imagined what happened to Rita. It has shocked us all and left us deeply saddened.“We would never have imagined what happened to Rita. It has shocked us all and left us deeply saddened.
“We know her last months in the De La Mer home were happy and she was well looked after. She used to love sitting watching the birds, especially when they used the bird bath. We are sure she still watches them now she is at rest.”“We know her last months in the De La Mer home were happy and she was well looked after. She used to love sitting watching the birds, especially when they used the bird bath. We are sure she still watches them now she is at rest.”
Her husband was remanded in custody. There will be a further court hearing in two weeks’ time.Her husband was remanded in custody. There will be a further court hearing in two weeks’ time.