A Carlisle man has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for gross negligence manslaughter after his mother died on the bathroom floor of their shared flat. Stewart Irwin, 45, was found guilty by a jury who heard evidence that his mother, Veronica Irwin, 74, lay undiscovered for two weeks.
Irwin described himself as his mother's carer, dedicating at least 35 hours a week to the role and giving up his own employment to do so. During the period his mother lay on the bathroom floor, Irwin was observed "going about his daily life." He also withdrew money from his mother's bank account and made multiple visits to a local shop.
The jury heard harrowing details of his mother's injuries and saw graphic photographs depicting the squalid conditions of their home. Irwin denied the charge but was convicted unanimously.
During the trial, Irwin did not provide evidence. However, he had previously told a clinical psychologist that he had "tried to help" his mother, who he claimed had "repeatedly refused" assistance. His defense barrister suggested that Irwin was accustomed to complying with his mother's wishes and had lower than average intellectual functioning.
"The (999) call was too late by a long way," the defense barrister stated. "It must have been a difficult thing to do." He added that Irwin had always maintained he tried to move his mother but could not, and that she had wanted to remain where she was. The defense also noted that Irwin was distressed about the situation.