'Dream' man free after killing wife

Nov 20 2009

A man who strangled his wife during a nightmare in the belief he was attacking an intruder has walked free from court after the case against him was withdrawn.

Brian Thomas, 59, of Neath, South Wales, killed his wife Christine, 57, while they were holidaying in West Wales in July 2008.

At Swansea Crown Court the prosecution told the jury that it was no longer seeking a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and that there would be no purpose in sending Thomas to a psychiatric hospital.

The court erupted into shouts of "yes" as family members jubilantly greeted the outcome.

Their reaction came after Paul Thomas QC, the prosecutor, explained the situation to the jury after a day-long adjournment in proceedings.

"We are no longer seeking a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity," Mr Thomas told the jury.

"We have a continuing duty to review the case and we took the opportunity to take stock of the situation. It is clear from the evidence that no useful purpose would be served by Mr Thomas being detained in a psychiatric hospital."

High Court Judge Justice Davis KT, told Thomas that in the eyes of the law he bore no responsibility for what he had done. He described him as a "decent man and devoted husband".

Raymond Thomas, the brother of Brian, spoke of his relief and jubilation at the outcome as he left court. "Family and friends are truly delighted by the outcome.

"They were a loving couple and always like that together. This was a tragic, tragic episode and we are all very emotional."