Hospital order for woman who killed husband

A woman who battered her husband to death with a garden tool before setting his body on fire has been made the subject of an indefinite hospital order.

Susan Poole, 53, killed 92-year-old David Hart in the garden of their home in Shetland Close, Shipley, in April 2024.

Having been diagnosed with schizophrenia she was deemed unfit to stand trial, but after a hearing at Bradford Crown Court a jury concluded she had carried out the acts alleged.

Remanding Poole into the care of Rampton Hospital, Mr Justice Cotter said Mr Hart had been killed in "terrifying circumstances" while trying to defend himself.

During the four day hearing jurors were told Mr Hart had heard screaming for help on the afternoon he died.

Neighbours later described seeing him on the ground in a "pool of blood" before watching as Poole set his body alight.

Body-worn camera footage played in court showed police forcing entry to the back garden shortly afterwards, where Poole was seen dousing herself in fuel in an outbuilding before being restrained.

Upon her arrest, the defendant made repeated references to "Jesus" and asked for her Bible, it was said.

Mr Justice Cotter sad as a result of Poole's ongoing and severe psychotic condition the appropriate disposal was a hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

In order to protect the public he also imposed a restriction order which means that Poole cannot be released without her case being considered by the Secretary of State or a mental health tribunal.

He added that if Poole were ever assessed as being fit to plead she could still face trial in the future.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.