Lawyers launch appeal in OAP mercy killing case which saw loving husband jailed

A 76-year-old Briton who was freed from prison after killing his seriously ill wife is facing renewed charges. 

British expat David Hunter, a retired miner from Northumberland, has been called to face an appeal from the attorney general in Cyprus, who are looking to upgrade his sentence. 

The prosecution have contended that Mr Hunter is guilty of “premeditated murder”, which was the first charge dismissed in the original trial and carries a mandatory life sentence. 

A team of lawyers called Justice Abroad have described the Cypriot action as a “very sad matter” that fails to “assist anyone”. 

The couple’s daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, said she was “devastated” by the news and urged “compassion” for her “elderly and frail father”. 

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Mr Hunter was released from custody on July 31 after a court sentenced him to two years in jail for the manslaughter of Janice, his spouse of 52 years.

The 76-year-old was allowed to walk free within 15 minutes of being sentenced at Paphos District Court due to time already served and good behaviour, after which he immediately went to see his wife’s grave. 

Mr Hunter spent 19 months in prison before being found guilty of manslaughter, the charge he was given after an original accusation of “premeditated murder” was downgraded. 

But following his release less than a fortnight ago, the attorney general of Cyprus has stated their intention to launch an appeal and reinstate the more serious charge. 

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It means the pensioner, who had decided to stay in Cyprus to be near his wife’s grave, faces a further legal fight.

Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, said they would “continue to fight for David before the Appeal Court of Cyprus as we have done throughout the lengthy mission to free” the bereaved pensioner. 

Mr Polak said he was “very disappointed” with the decision, which “gets in the way of David getting on with his life”.

“He has spent 19 months in prison and faced legal proceedings over that period that would be difficult for anyone, but especially for someone of his age,” Mr Polak said. 

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“This is a very sad matter, however, it is difficult to see how the continued pursuit of David assists anyone.

Mr Hunter told his trial he suffocated Mrs Hunter after she “begged” him to do so as she was suffering from a rare form of blood cancer.

A three-judge panel accepted the defence case that he had spontaneously acted “out of love” for his wife after she asked him to help end her life.

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