93-Year-Old Man Pleads Manslaughter for Wife's Smothering Death in Exeter
Laurence Billam, 93, admitted to the manslaughter of his 87-year-old wife Shirley after she was found smothered at their Exeter home, and will be sentenced in November.
Laurence Billam, aged 93, appeared by video from HMP Exeter at Exeter Crown Court to plead guilty to manslaughter after his 87-year-old wife, Shirley Billam, died from smothering at their residence on Millbrook Lane. He denied murder but accepted responsibility for the fatal act on April 19, when emergency crews discovered her body. Ray Tully KC, representing the Crown, explained that earlier attempts to secure a diminished-responsibility plea were reviewed, and psychiatric reports from three experts were considered.
The Crown found the plea acceptable, ordering a pre-sentence report and scheduling sentencing for November 20, with the judge offering no sentencing promises. Members of the Billam family were present, and Judge James Patrick described the proceedings as a difficult day for all involved.
Why it matters
The case highlights how the justice system addresses elderly offenders and the use of diminished-responsibility defenses.
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