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Former soldier Aaron Wilkinson cleared of murder | Former soldier Aaron Wilkinson cleared of murder |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A former soldier who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder when he shot and killed his landlady has been cleared of her murder. | A former soldier who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder when he shot and killed his landlady has been cleared of her murder. |
Aaron Wilkinson, 24, of Alma Street, Woodlesford, was cleared of murdering 52-year-old Judith Garnett who was hit in the chest and head. | Aaron Wilkinson, 24, of Alma Street, Woodlesford, was cleared of murdering 52-year-old Judith Garnett who was hit in the chest and head. |
He had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. | He had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. |
Wilkinson, who had served in Afghanistan, told Bradford Crown Court he was not in control of his actions. | Wilkinson, who had served in Afghanistan, told Bradford Crown Court he was not in control of his actions. |
The two-week trial heard that Wilkinson joined the Territorial Army at 19 and went on a six-month tour of duty of Afghanistan in 2009. | The two-week trial heard that Wilkinson joined the Territorial Army at 19 and went on a six-month tour of duty of Afghanistan in 2009. |
'Pack his bags' | |
Following his return, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress reaction by an army doctor. | Following his return, he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress reaction by an army doctor. |
The court was told Wilkinson moved into Mrs Garnett's attic room as a lodger in July 2010. | The court was told Wilkinson moved into Mrs Garnett's attic room as a lodger in July 2010. |
On the day of the shooting, 24 January 2011, Mrs Garnett returned home and shouted at him for not letting her dogs out during the day as she had requested. | |
Wilkinson said Mrs Garnett threw his gun up through the hatch into his attic bedroom and told him to "pack his bags". | |
When Mrs Garnett returned to the attic room, Wilkinson fired three shots at her. | |
The first shot hit Mrs Garnett in the chest, the second grazed the side of her face and the third was fired from close range into her head. | |
He said he could not explain why he shot Mrs Garnett and it was as though he was in a "trance" but he told the jury he realised what he had done immediately after firing the third shot. |