Carer, 60, who smothered his dementia-hit mother, 89, to death in 'act of ... trends now
A carer who smothered his 89-year-old mother 'in an act of mercy' has been spared jail.
Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after dementia and osteoporosis sufferer Eileen Pearce for 10 years before he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath, south London, in June 2021.
Afterwards, he slashed his wrists before calling police to 'confess', saying: 'She was in a lot of pain.'
The defendant denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility due to his severely depressed state.
On Thursday, Judge Alexia Durran sentenced Pearce at the Old Bailey to two years in jail, suspended for two years.
She told the court it was a 'tragic case', but added: 'Mercy killing is not recognised as an exemption to the law of homicide.'
Kevin Pearce, 60, had looked after dementia and osteoporosis sufferer Eileen Pearce for 10 years before he killed her at their home in Bexleyheath
She said Mrs Pearce was a 'fiercely independent' woman who had received 'excellent' care at home from her son before the defendant became 'overwhelmed' by the situation.
Judge Durran said: 'I considered you decided death for both of you was the only solution in the incredibly sad position you found yourself.
'I accept your good character. Your actions can be characterised as an act of mercy.'
The judge also sentenced Pearce to 240 days of unpaid work and a 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
Earlier, prosecutor Jack Talbot told how Mrs Pearce was found dead in her bed at home on June 5 2021.
The defendant told officers that he had put his mother 'out of her suffering' with a wet flannel.
He said: 'Then I decided to kill myself but
