A retired British miner who suffocated his terminally ill wife in Cyprus after she “begged him to” has been released after spending nearly two years behind bars.
David Hunter, 76, admitted killing Janice, 74, his spouse of 52 years, at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.
Ms Hunter had been suffering from blood cancer and the court was told she “begged” her husband to end her life.
Hunter was handed a two-year prison sentence on Monday but was released shortly after the sentencing, having already spent 19 months in a Cypriot prison.
Speaking outside Paphos District Court after walking free, a visibly emotional Hunter said he wished he could “find words to describe it but I can’t”.
Mr Hunter told reporters: “I can’t describe it. I’m sorry. I wish I could, I wish I could find words to describe it but I can’t.
“When you’re under pressure for two years, not knowing which way it’s going to go.”
His daughter Lesley Cawthorne said she feels her “heart has been put back together” after his release, adding: “Today is the start of us being able to rebuild our lives.”
Paphos District Court earlier heard his motive was to “liberate his wife from all that she was going through due to her health conditions”.
During the year-long trial, the court heard it was Ms Hunter’s “wish” to die and that her husband “had only feelings of love for her”.
Hunter, from Ashington, Northumberland, told his trial that his wife “cried and begged” him to end her life. He broke down in tears as he said he would “never in a million years” have taken his wife’s life unless she had asked him to.
He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife’s mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant her wish after she became “hysterical”.
The court heard he then tried to kill himself by taking an overdose, but medics arrived in time to save him.
Following his release, Mr Hunter’s daughter Lesley Cawthorne said the last 19 months had been a “living nightmare” for their family.
She said: “Today is the start of us being able to rebuild our lives.
David Hunter with his defence team (right) and Michael Polak, the director of Justice Abroad,
“Dad’s release also means we can finally grieve for my mum and I hope everyone can respect our privacy whilst we take the time to come to terms with her loss.”
She added: “So many people have worked hard and supported our efforts to bring my dad home, too many to mention but you know who you are and you know you have our deepest gratitude.
“The kindness and love of friends and strangers has been the thing that has kept us going and we can never thank you all enough.”
After talking to her father over the phone, Ms Cawthorne added: “Speaking to my daddy was the most amazing thing. I feel like my heart has been put back together.”
David Hunter outside Paphos District Court in Cyprus after he was released from custody
David Hunter was released from prison on Monday
