No charges for husband who helped wife, 62, to die

Margaret Bateman suffered in agony for years from a condition which baffled medical specialists and remained undiagnosed

She spent the final three years of her life in pain, confined to bed and cared for by her devoted husband Michael.

Her family carried out research on the internet into suicide techniques and on October 20 Mr Bateman helped carry out her final wish using helium gas at their home in Birstall, near Bradford.

An inquest last November heard Mrs Bateman, who was 62, began considering suicide a year ago but changed her mind.

On the day she decided to end her life, she sent her grown-up son out of the house and the couple made preparations. She then committed the final act.

Mr Bateman, a self-employed IT consultant, was arrested and questioned on suspicion of aiding and abetting the suicide and has since been on bail waiting for a decision from the Crown Prosecution Service on whether he should be charged.

Today, the CPS ruled that although there was sufficient evidence to charge him with aiding or abetting a suicide, it would not be in the public interest to do so.

Bryan Boulter, reviewing lawyer for the CPS Special Crime Division, said: "I concluded that a prosecution would not be in the public interest because Mrs Bateman, who had suffered from chronic pain for decades, had a clear and settled wish to commit suicide. Interviews with Mr Bateman and the couple's sons supported this.

"It was also clear that Mr Bateman was wholly motivated by compassion. He cared deeply for his wife and had taken care of her daily needs for several years. There was no evidence to suggest any motive other than compassion.

"Mr Bateman cooperated fully with the investigation into the suicide and freely admitted assisting Mrs Bateman. As such, there was sufficient evidence to charge the offence of aiding or abetting a suicide, but it would not have been in the public interest to do so in the particular circumstances of this case."

After the brief inquest hearing, Mr Bateman spoke to the Yorkshire Post. Fighting back tears, he said the family had been placed in an "intolerable situation".

"We were married for a few days short of 40 years. She was a brave and courageous woman who lived in agony for many years. She was healthy once and worked as an assistant in a care home. I had to give up work to look after Margaret full-time."

Mr Bateman, 62, said he and his wife had considered several options, including travelling to the Swiss assisted suicide clinic Dignitas but "were prevented by circumstances".

"Margaret was going to starve herself to death but she was threatened with being taken into hospital and force-fed," he added.

He said he wanted to see facilities similar to Dignitas opened in the UK.

"Dignitas fulfils the needs of many people; that sort of facility should be available everywhere," he said.