Michael Ejercito
2024-07-09 03:38:31 UTC
https://www.reddit.com/r/LockdownSkepticism/comments/1dydff4/uk_man_who_killed_wife_in_august_2020_during_the/
Husband rang GP 570 times before killing wife
15 hours ago
By Kelly Bonner,
BBC News NI
Share
Pacemaker Susan Baird is pictured left and Gary Baird stands to her
right. They are in formal wear on a boat.Pacemaker
Gary Alexander Baird admitted killing his wife, Susan Baird, at their
home in Belfast in 2020
A man who admitted killing his wife made 570 calls to his GP to ask for
help with his mental health but "none of them were answered", Belfast
Crown Court has heard.
Gary Alexander Baird, 64, admitted killing his wife, 60-year-old Susan
Baird, at their home in Belfast in 2020.
He previously pled guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished
responsibility.
She died as a result of catastrophic head injuries after being attacked
by Baird with a hammer at their Windermere Road home in August of that year.
Belfast Crown Court heard that Gary Baird was "clearly unwell and heard
voices in his head".
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
'Voices in my head'
The first trial collapsed earlier this year after jurors were dismissed
due to a legal issue.
That trial had heard that Susan Baird died after suffering multiple
injuries, including fractures to her skull, lacerations on her brain and
forehead and bruising on various parts of her body.
Her injuries were so bad that she had to be identified from her dental
records.
The court previously heard that at 16:51 BST on 16 August 2020, Gary
Baird called 999 and said: "I've just murdered my wife."
He told the operator he had hit her with a hammer and when asked if she
was dead, Baird replied: "I think so".
Police attended the couple's home and, after entering via an unlocked
front door, they observed a heavily bloodstained Baird sitting in the
kitchen with a wound to his head.
They then discovered Mrs Baird who was lying slumped on a sofa in a
small room off the kitchen. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Baird was arrested and when asked about his head wound, he told
officers: "I did this to myself".
Admitting he attacked his wife with a hammer then turned the weapon on
himself, Mr Baird, who is a former BBC security guard, also said "the
voices in my head told me to do it".
At the time of her death, Susan Baird worked as an administrator at
Orangefield Presbyterian Church.
'Supportive family'
Following the death of his wife, Gary Baird had been detained in Belfast
City Hospital's acute mental health unit for more than a year.
On Monday, defence barrister Brian McCartney KC said "this was an
impulsive act which culminated after weeks of psychotic torture that my
client suffered".
The couple's children were in court on Monday, as they have been
throughout this case.
The court was told "they're here for both their mummy and their daddy".
"Mr Baird will eventually return to a supportive family. A loving
family. This is a highly tragic case and requires a unique approach."
Gary Baird will be sentenced on Wednesday.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you
can visit BBC Action Line.
Husband rang GP 570 times before killing wife
15 hours ago
By Kelly Bonner,
BBC News NI
Share
Pacemaker Susan Baird is pictured left and Gary Baird stands to her
right. They are in formal wear on a boat.Pacemaker
Gary Alexander Baird admitted killing his wife, Susan Baird, at their
home in Belfast in 2020
A man who admitted killing his wife made 570 calls to his GP to ask for
help with his mental health but "none of them were answered", Belfast
Crown Court has heard.
Gary Alexander Baird, 64, admitted killing his wife, 60-year-old Susan
Baird, at their home in Belfast in 2020.
He previously pled guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished
responsibility.
She died as a result of catastrophic head injuries after being attacked
by Baird with a hammer at their Windermere Road home in August of that year.
Belfast Crown Court heard that Gary Baird was "clearly unwell and heard
voices in his head".
Warning: This story contains details that readers may find distressing.
'Voices in my head'
The first trial collapsed earlier this year after jurors were dismissed
due to a legal issue.
That trial had heard that Susan Baird died after suffering multiple
injuries, including fractures to her skull, lacerations on her brain and
forehead and bruising on various parts of her body.
Her injuries were so bad that she had to be identified from her dental
records.
The court previously heard that at 16:51 BST on 16 August 2020, Gary
Baird called 999 and said: "I've just murdered my wife."
He told the operator he had hit her with a hammer and when asked if she
was dead, Baird replied: "I think so".
Police attended the couple's home and, after entering via an unlocked
front door, they observed a heavily bloodstained Baird sitting in the
kitchen with a wound to his head.
They then discovered Mrs Baird who was lying slumped on a sofa in a
small room off the kitchen. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Baird was arrested and when asked about his head wound, he told
officers: "I did this to myself".
Admitting he attacked his wife with a hammer then turned the weapon on
himself, Mr Baird, who is a former BBC security guard, also said "the
voices in my head told me to do it".
At the time of her death, Susan Baird worked as an administrator at
Orangefield Presbyterian Church.
'Supportive family'
Following the death of his wife, Gary Baird had been detained in Belfast
City Hospital's acute mental health unit for more than a year.
On Monday, defence barrister Brian McCartney KC said "this was an
impulsive act which culminated after weeks of psychotic torture that my
client suffered".
The couple's children were in court on Monday, as they have been
throughout this case.
The court was told "they're here for both their mummy and their daddy".
"Mr Baird will eventually return to a supportive family. A loving
family. This is a highly tragic case and requires a unique approach."
Gary Baird will be sentenced on Wednesday.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you
can visit BBC Action Line.