Advertisement

  1. National

Mother who killed her three disabled children given hospital order

Depressed mother Tania Clarence, who smothered her three young disabled children as they slept before attempting suicide, was given a hospital order at the Old Bailey today after Judge Mr Justice Sweeney said she had been "overwhelmed".

View all 6 updates ›

Husband criticises authorities after wife's sentencing

The husband of a mother who killed her three disabled children has criticised medical professionals and social workers for contributing to the "unbearable pressure" that overwhelmed his wife.

In a statement issued through the family's solicitor, Tania Clarence's husband Gary said "lessons need to be learned" from the tragedy.

Tania's depression was certainly not assisted by the constant pressure placed on the family by some individuals within the medical profession and social services who could not agree with Tania and Gary Clarence's stance of prioritising quality of life for their children and who were not readily willing to submit the children to operations and other interventions that they felt were not appropriate in the circumstances.

– Clarence family

The solicitor added that Mr Clarence "hopes to be able to ensure that never again will a family have to endure the unbearable pressure that eventually overwhelmed the resources of his wife."

More top news