Telford woman died after attack by husband with Alzheimer's, inquest told
A Telford woman who died two weeks after being assaulted by her husband had reported several attacks over the previous year, an inquest was told today.
An inquest into the death Christine Williamson, 62, heard that her husband, James, would "not have known what he was doing" when he struck the blow which led to his wife's death as he was suffering from an advanced case of Alzheimer's Disease.
Mrs Williamson, of Greengage Way, Muxton, died on October 31, 2012, from bruising on the brain, caused by a head injury suffered on October 18 when she was assaulted by her husband.
Mr Williamson was taken to the Redwoods Centre in Shrewsbury after his wife reported the assault and he is still being held under the Mental Health Act.
Sergeant Alan Crossley, of West Mercia Police, said the Crown Prosecution Service had reviewed the case but decided it was not in the public interest to prosecute Mr Williamson due to his mental state.
Mrs Heather Morgan, a counsellor with South Staffordshire Mental Health Trust, said she spoke to Mrs Williamson several times in 2012 and raised concerns with her GP about injuries she had suffered during assaults by her husband.
Dr Albert Whiting, from the Charlton Medical Practice in Oakengates, said he asked social services to register Mrs Williamson as a vulnerable adult, but had been advised she should be registered as a victim of domestic violence instead.
Dr Whiting said he looked at the case again and asked social services to reconsider, in light of Mr Williamson's Alzheimer's.
The hearing continues at Wellington Civic Centre.
