Pensioner admits trying to kill his wife after 'flipping' about his debts

A DEBT-RIDDEN pensioner tried to kill his wife and take his own life with an overdose when he "flipped" over his money problems, a court has heard.

Tony Ellis, a retired surveyor, held a pillow over his wife Irene's face, and after she managed to break free he tried to strangle her with his bare hands. He told her: "I've no money left."

Mrs Ellis, 72, was again able to muster enough strength to fight him off, and pleaded with him to stop as he swallowed a handful of tablets.

A judge was told that in spite of the attack, Mrs Ellis wanted her husband back "at the earliest opportunity".

Ellis, 67, admitted attempting to murder his wife on 26 September last year in their home in Brig Wynd, Forres, Moray. He will be sentenced next month.

The defence counsel, Bill Adam, said that following the incident, Ellis had been examined by a psychologist and diagnosed as suffering from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism.

"It is a condition which manifests itself in childhood, and with Mr Ellis has remained undiagnosed from then until now," said Mr Adam.

"It will not provide an excuse for his behaviour, but goes a considerable way to explaining it."

Advocate-depute Shanti Rao told the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday that Ellis was believed to have debt of about 25,000 and made repayments of 500 a month from a pension of 1,200 a month.

The couple, married for 30 years, had gone to London for a few days to visit Mrs Ellis's son by a previous marriage. They drove home, and went out for Sunday lunch. They returned to their flat and, tired from the journey, lay down on their bed to rest.

"As she lay half asleep, Mrs Ellis felt the accused place two pillows on top of her face … she said he pushed the pillows down with a really tight grip … and did not let go. He said, 'I'm going to kill you.' She was fighting for breath and was in fear for her life," said Ms Rao.

Mrs Ellis managed to kick her husband and he released the pillows. He knelt at the side of the bed and placed both hands around her throat.

"He pressed down tightly, against her windpipe, and again she was struggling to breathe and thought she was going to die," said Ms Rao.

"He said, 'I've no money left, I'm going to kill you'. She struggled and managed to get up enough strength to push him with both hands. He took the pressure from her neck. She freed herself and ran to the front door of the flat."

Mrs Ellis pressed the emergency button on her community alarm. She shouted for help and the alarm company contacted the police.

She saw her husband with a tub of painkillers. He said they were broke and put a handful of tablets in his mouth. She told him to stop, saying: "If you want money, I'll give you money."

The police arrived. A semi-conscious Ellis mumbled that he wanted to die and that he had money problems.He was taken to hospital and told a doctor: "I flipped. I tried to murder the wife and tried to commit suicide."

Later, he added in a police interview: "It was temporary madness. I stopped. I regret it."

Ms Rao said it was clear during the investigation that Mrs Ellis was reluctant for the case to continue. "She confirmed she would co-operate, but she continually emphasised that she wished her husband to return home at the earliest possible opportunity and for them to continue their relationship together."