Man put mercury in ex-wife's tea

A 69-year-old man poisoned his ex-wife by putting mercury in her cups of tea because he wanted to rekindle their relationship, a court has heard.

William Dowling, from Colne, wanted to cause "mild upset" to his ex-wife, Maureen, so he could help her get better, Preston Crown Court heard.

He admitted administering a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Dowling, of Linden Road, will be sentenced on 7 August.

He denied a more serious charge of administering the poison to endanger life or cause grievous bodily harm.

What is mercury poisoning?

• Mercury is a metal and is liquid at room temperature
• Mercury poisoning can produce toxic effects to the brain, kidney and lungs in high doses
• Symptoms include sensory impairment, burning and discoloured skin, and amounts of dead skin peeling off in layers
• It is particularly dangerous to pregnant women and children
• If enough is administered orally it can kill

Paul Lewis, defending, told the court that following the breakdown of the couple's relationship, his ex-wife "would come to visit and he sought to cause her mild upset so he could care for her and resurrect the relationship".

Judge Stuart Baker told Dowling: "You must understand that, although you have pleaded guilty to the less serious of the two charges brought against you, the offence which you have admitted must be regarded as a serious offence.

"You must understand that when you return to this court a prison sentence is one of the range of possible options."

Following the hearing, Det Insp Groombridge said: "This offence was pre-meditated, planned and executed with malice, so a firm police response will always follow.

"Mr Dowling chose to poison his ex-wife for reasons best known to himself using a mercury compound, the origins of which he refused to divulge.

"The effects of its ingestion are still being felt by the victim.

"Thankfully, owing to the advances in medical and forensic science poisoning in its many guises is rare but, as this case illustrates, not beyond the scope of a determined mind."

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