Menu
30/09/2010
Nurse Jailed For Life For Killing Parents
A Bournemouth nurse has been jailed for life for murdering her parents.
Susan Toop, 54, killed her parents by stabbing them and hitting them with an iron.
The couple, Arthur Toop, 82, and his wife Joan, 74, were found dead at their bungalow in Bournemouth in November last year.
On grounds of diminished responsibility, Toop admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder. She will serve two life terms, with a minimum of 18 years.
Toop later claimed she was putting her parents "out of their misery.”
Mr Justice David Clarke told Toop: "Your motivation for killing your parents is far from clear even now.”
"It appears that you had come to believe that they were ready to die or wished to die, but it must be made quite clear that there is no objective evidence... that supports that view.
"It was a false belief."
He described the case as "sad and tragic.”
Timothy Mousley QC, prosecuting, told the court her parents "had a good quality of life" and were not "miserable".
He said the relationship between Toop and her "domineering" mother had been strained in the weeks leading to the murder.
The court heard that Toop, a nurse at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, put crushed up tablets in her father's sandwich and mother's coffee.
The couple died from multiple blunt force injuries, probably caused by the ornamental flat iron.
Mrs Toop also had 28 separate knife wounds.
A fellow nurse at the secure hospital where Toop was detained overheard her say: "I just wanted us all to go together, we were all supposed to go together."
Toop was sentenced at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
(BMcN)
Susan Toop, 54, killed her parents by stabbing them and hitting them with an iron.
The couple, Arthur Toop, 82, and his wife Joan, 74, were found dead at their bungalow in Bournemouth in November last year.
On grounds of diminished responsibility, Toop admitted manslaughter but was convicted of murder. She will serve two life terms, with a minimum of 18 years.
Toop later claimed she was putting her parents "out of their misery.”
Mr Justice David Clarke told Toop: "Your motivation for killing your parents is far from clear even now.”
"It appears that you had come to believe that they were ready to die or wished to die, but it must be made quite clear that there is no objective evidence... that supports that view.
"It was a false belief."
He described the case as "sad and tragic.”
Timothy Mousley QC, prosecuting, told the court her parents "had a good quality of life" and were not "miserable".
He said the relationship between Toop and her "domineering" mother had been strained in the weeks leading to the murder.
The court heard that Toop, a nurse at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, put crushed up tablets in her father's sandwich and mother's coffee.
The couple died from multiple blunt force injuries, probably caused by the ornamental flat iron.
Mrs Toop also had 28 separate knife wounds.
A fellow nurse at the secure hospital where Toop was detained overheard her say: "I just wanted us all to go together, we were all supposed to go together."
Toop was sentenced at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
(BMcN)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 August 2014
Two Arrested During Search For Missing Brothers
Two people have been arrested by police searching for three brothers missing since Monday. It is now known that the brothers, Remus (15), Janko (12) and David (10), caught a train to Newcastle while their foster parents thought they were out for a bike ride on Monday evening. The brothers were seen on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Central Station.
Two Arrested During Search For Missing Brothers
Two people have been arrested by police searching for three brothers missing since Monday. It is now known that the brothers, Remus (15), Janko (12) and David (10), caught a train to Newcastle while their foster parents thought they were out for a bike ride on Monday evening. The brothers were seen on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Central Station.
14 November 2013
Police Report Missing Teen Found 'Safe And Well'
Police have reported that a missing 15-year-old girl has been found "safe and well". At the time of her disappearance Ella Hysom, from Colchester, Essex, had been receiving treatment for depression at a hospital in Goodmayes, east London. She had been reported missing on Monday, having been last seen in Ilford, east London.
Police Report Missing Teen Found 'Safe And Well'
Police have reported that a missing 15-year-old girl has been found "safe and well". At the time of her disappearance Ella Hysom, from Colchester, Essex, had been receiving treatment for depression at a hospital in Goodmayes, east London. She had been reported missing on Monday, having been last seen in Ilford, east London.
22 June 2012
New Guide To Help Parents Teach Children About Body Confidence
The government has backed a guide to help parents teach their children to be confident about their bodies. The guide stresses that the so-called perfect body and the emphasis on skinniness is a "socially and culturally constructed ideal".
New Guide To Help Parents Teach Children About Body Confidence
The government has backed a guide to help parents teach their children to be confident about their bodies. The guide stresses that the so-called perfect body and the emphasis on skinniness is a "socially and culturally constructed ideal".
11 February 2010
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
Boost For Lone Parent Job Seekers
Thousands of lone parents will get extra help to attain training and work experience while their children are at nursery school, the Government announced today. Those who work less than 16 hours a week will also be able to keep £50 of their wages before losing any benefits, Work Secretary Yvette Cooper said.
28 October 2010
More Help For Disadvantaged Families
Twice as many disadvantaged families will get help from a programme which provides intensive support and home visits from early pregnancy until a child is two years old, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today announced. So far, around 6,000 families in England have benefited from Family Nurse Partnerships.
More Help For Disadvantaged Families
Twice as many disadvantaged families will get help from a programme which provides intensive support and home visits from early pregnancy until a child is two years old, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley today announced. So far, around 6,000 families in England have benefited from Family Nurse Partnerships.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
