Chemist denies murdering his wife

Mr Brown was remanded in custody at the High Court in Edinburgh

A man has admitted killing his wife of more than 50 years but denied murder.

Edwin Brown, 72, is accused of murdering Ann, 74, at their home in Badnaban, Sutherland on 7 May.

Defence QC Edgar Prais said a psychiatrist had concluded that Mr Brown was suffering from diminished responsibility because of depression.

Mr Brown will be told later this month if he is to stand trial for murder or if his guilty plea to the reduced charge will be accepted.

The retired chemist is accused of murdering his wife by battering her with an ornament and repeatedly stabbing her.

This really is a 'bolt from the blue' type of case Edgar Prais Defence QC

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Mr Prais said: "He killed his wife of more than 50 years. From that very day he has accepted his responsibility for the homicide.

"I say that because as his wife lay dead in their home he was the one who phoned the emergency services and in a lengthy telephone call narrated the ghastly circumstances of what had just transpired."

Mr Prais said he had handed over the defence psychiatrist's report for the Crown's expert to consider.

The court heard that during his career Mr Brown had worked all round the world.

Mr Prais said: "This really is a 'bolt from the blue' type of case."

Judge Lord Uist asked if the only dispute was whether Mrs Brown's death was the result of murder or culpable homicide and Mr Prais agreed that it was.

Mr Brown was remanded in custody pending his next court date.