Man jailed after failed suicide pact

A man has been sentenced to two years in prison after a failed suicide pact with his partner of 12 years.

Elwyn Hawkins, 48, and Janice King took a combination of drugs at their north Somerset home between September 9 and 12, 2002, Bristol Crown Court heard.

Hawkins, of Shrubbery Road, Weston-super-Mare, admitted at a previous hearing to aiding and abetting the attempted suicides.

Police went to the couple's home on September 11, 2002, after Hawkins and Miss King missed a court appearance in connection with a drugs offence.

They arrested Hawkins for attempted murder after finding him holding a pillow on Miss King's head, the court heard.

Suicide notes

A sample of his blood was found to contain large doses of paracetamol, anti-depressants and anti-convulsant drugs.

It is not known what substance had been taken by Miss King, who survived.

Suicide notes were found in the home.

Hawkins does not accept that he was trying to suffocate Miss King with the pillow.

His not guilty pleas to attempted murder and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm will remain on file.

The jury heard how in July, 2002, a suicide attempt had been made on the day the couple were due to be evicted from their home.

The court heard how the suicide attempts by the couple, who remain on good terms, were agreed by both parties.

Hawkins will be supervised on licence at the end of the jail sentence.