Today, a 90-year-old retired butcher was spared jail time for stabbing his blind wife while she slept because he was unable to care for her.
Edward Turpin attacked his wife Joan, also 90, on September 22 of last year at their house in Ringshall Road, Orpington, Kent, after over 70 years of marriage.
Mrs. Turpin stated in a hospital-recorded video: ‘He woke me up with the knife in my chest and told me he couldn’t take any more. He became unwell, and then the knife was inserted. I was yelling for assistance.
The former Smithfield butcher was found not guilty of attempted murder and the equivalent charge of intentional injury.
Today at the Old Bailey, he was found guilty of unlawfully inflicting injury and sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years, as well as a three-month electronic monitoring curfew.
Edward Turpin (pictured) injured his ailing wife Joan Turpin, also 90, at their house on Ringshall Road, Orpington, Kent, on September 22, 2012, after over 70 years of blissful marriage.
He conceded that he must have caused his wife’s injuries, but argued that he had no intention of harming her.
The court heard that Turpin did not attend his sentencing because he is hospitalized due to chronic health difficulties.
He agreed for the proceedings to continue without him.
The judge hinted she would not be sending Turpin to prison and gave him a two-year prison term with a two-year suspension.
She stated, “Their marriage was a happy one, and Mr. Turpin was a wonderful and caring husband, according to his wife.
In September of last year, Joan Turpin lost her eyesight due to a deteriorating health condition.
“According to the evidence, Mr. Turpin was too proud to seek his extended family for assistance. He received limited home care assistance.
In a nutshell, Mr. Turpin’s caring for his wife Joan was wholly dependent on him.
The Smithfield butcher was found not guilty of attempted murder and the alternative charge of causing intentional injury.
Regarding the event, the judge continued: “At approximately 1:30 a.m. on September 22, 2012, Mr. Turpin stabbed his wife.
“He told the jury that he had awoken to his wife screaming uncontrollably…and had gone downstairs to find a knife in an attempt to frighten her and calm her down.”
“I am forced to conclude that Mr. Turpin acted under extreme stress,”
Otherwise, there is no rational justification…for harming the person you regard dearest.
“It is evident that Mr. Turpin was overpowered by the burden and duty of caring for his wife.”
Mr. Turpin armed himself with a knife in the wee hours of the morning, a time when things frequently appear dark and hopeless.
Judge Durran added that Mrs. Turpin had not provided a victim impact statement. She described it as unsurprising due to the pensioner’s “frequent declarations of love and affection for her spouse of nearly 70 years.”
The court heard that Turpin was incarcerated for more than two months following the stabbing, and that he underwent heart surgery earlier this year.
The court stated, “The events of that September morning will never occur again.”
Emma Staples, the administrator of the care facility where Mrs. Turpin resides, testified in court that the elderly woman misses her husband terribly.
The court heard that Turpin did not attend his sentencing because he is hospitalized due to chronic health difficulties.
She claims that Joan’s wounds have completely healed and that she is no longer in agony or discomfort. Attorney Alistair Richardson stated.
“However, she asserts that the psychological impact on Joan Turpin is enormous.” She misses Edward Turpin terribly, and her life has been turned upside down as a result.
As Mrs. Turpin’s health deteriorated, she became blind and required a catheter.
Her husband, who had no prior convictions, was her primary caregiver, and she was completely reliant on him.
She informed the police that her husband was a “nice man.”
“Absolutely wonderful. She stated that he never touched her in any way.
I believe he was a great man. No one has anything negative to say about this individual.
Mrs. Turpin believed her husband may have been overwhelmed by her blindness and pushed him to seek assistance in caring for her.
She stated, “I requested that he seek additional assistance because I feared that it might depress him.”
The court heard that Turpin was detained for more than two months following the stabbing and underwent heart surgery earlier this year.
Mr. Richardson previously described it as a tragic instance of “a once-happy marriage that has deteriorated due to the defendant’s inability to care for his wife.”
Even in the heat of the moment, neither society nor the law allowed us to take matters into our own hands and attempt to end another person’s life.
Never attempt to end your partner’s life if you find yourself caring for them excessively.
“At approximately 1:30 a.m. on September 22, 2021, the defendant lost patience with his wife’s illness and his caregiving responsibilities and attacked her in her bed,”
Mrs. Turpin had two chest and two upper abdominal stab wounds.
The damage to her chest led to the collapse of her right lung.
After the assault, Turpin dialed 911 and stated, ‘I can’t take it anymore…been she’s sick and it’s gotten the best of me.’
He stated, “I attempted to stab her and wound up stabbing myself.”
Turpin stated that he had stabbed his wife “in the heart.”
The operator stated that he would instruct the defendant on how to stop the bleeding, but Turpin responded, “I do not wish to stop the bleeding.” We want to die.’
The assailant hung up, but the operator called again. This has occurred twice.
During the third call, Turpin stated, “I do not want anything done at this time.” I want to die. She wants to die.’
In response to her calls for assistance, Turpin can be heard shouting, “Joan, stop it!”
Mrs. Turpin told officials that her husband had stabbed her, and police and paramedics arrived at the residence.
Her spouse was downstairs and simultaneously expressing to other cops, ‘I’ve had enough!’ I can’t take it anymore.
Turpin admitted at trial that he stabbed his wife, but maintained it was to calm her down after she awoke “screaming and raving out of control.”
He told the jury that he was a butcher and that he took the ‘carver’ knife from his kitchen to ‘keep her quiet’
Turpin stated that he was unable to recall the stabbing and that he did not intend to kill.
He stated that he would never intentionally harm his wife.
“We’ve enjoyed 60 wonderful years, and all I wanted to do was continue living.”
As Mrs. Turpin’s health deteriorated, she lost her sight and required a catheter; therefore, her husband, who had no prior convictions, was her primary caregiver, and she was completely dependent on him.
When asked if he intended to cause her “very substantial injury,” he responded, “What would be the point of me causing my wife serious harm?” I’ve got no one. Without any brothers, sisters, aunts, or uncles.
“Without my wife, I am done.”
The defense attorney, Simon Gledhill, argued that his client’s age, previous good character, role as his wife’s caregiver, and poor health should reduce his punishment.
The prosecution declined Turpin’s request to plead guilty to wounding, the offense for which he was ultimately convicted, before trial.
Mr. Gledhill stated, “In September of last year, 60 years of joyful marriage were turned upside down by Mr. Turpin’s conduct.”
‘He is well aware of the impact his actions had on his wife and on their marriage, and he has conveyed to me on numerous occasions his profound regret that he was responsible for these repercussions.
‘On multiple occasions, he has indicated a tremendous desire to embrace his wife and apologize to her.
“I hope that, after what the court has seen of Mr. Turpin, the court will accept his regret as entirely sincere,”