A woman has been sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to end the life of her elderly mother in a hospital using pillows and a knife. At Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI), medical staff overheard Susan Hardwick, aged 65, expressing her desire to harm her mother while trying to smother her with a pillow.
Susan’s mother, Joan Hardwick, aged 89 at the time, was being prepared for discharge to a care home and was not in a critical condition. Susan, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder, claimed her mother had no quality of life following the incident.
During the sentencing, the judge, Mr. Justice Goss, noted Susan’s cerebral palsy, potential learning disability, and ongoing cancer treatment. He acknowledged the complexity of the case, attributing Susan’s actions to her mental disability and frustration over her mother’s care.
Joan Hardwick, who had been at DRI for three weeks following a stroke treatment, was found with minor cuts and a non-hospital knife nearby after the incident. Susan expressed her belief that her mother wanted to die due to her perceived lack of quality of life.
Nicholas Rhodes, Susan’s defense counsel, highlighted her lifelong dependency on her mother due to cerebral palsy and communication difficulties. He emphasized Susan’s fixation on preventing her mother’s return to a previous hospital, questioning whether she truly believed her actions were merciful.
The court was informed that Joan and Susan had a co-dependent relationship since the death of Susan’s father, leading to their isolated lifestyle. Susan’s emotional state and concerns about her mother’s care were cited as factors influencing her behavior.
The case was described as a unique and challenging one by the judge, who emphasized the absence of evidence supporting Susan’s perception of mercy in her actions. The court deliberated on Susan’s genuine belief in acting out of mercy towards her mother amid her profound disabilities and emotional struggles.