A 78-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for the fatal strangulation of his wife, a culmination of years of abuse she inflicted upon him. Charles Graham was convicted after he killed his wife, Davinia, 67, in their Cheltenham home following a heated confrontation where she threatened to stab him.
Graham, a retired paramedic, acted in a moment of desperation, reportedly calling the police afterward to confess his actions.
During proceedings at Bristol Crown Court, the court heard that Mrs. Graham had a long history of mental health issues and had been abusive towards her husband and their family. Prosecutor Adam Vaitilingam KC explained that Mrs. Graham had been hospitalized on August 22, 2024, after an overdose.
After being deemed medically fit for discharge on August 30, she was picked up by her husband. A subsequent argument prompted police involvement, but she was released home later that day.
In an emotional 999 call made early the following morning, Graham recounted the events leading to his wife’s death, describing her as “aggressive” and threatening. “I’m afraid I killed my wife. I strangled her,” he stated.
He expressed feelings of accumulated frustration and anger after years of enduring her abusive behavior, explaining that the situation escalated when she threatened him upon returning home.
The court was informed about the family’s struggles, which included the tragic loss of both a grandson and a daughter, contributing to Mrs. Graham’s deteriorating mental health and increasing volatility.
Paula White, the couple’s surviving daughter, spoke in court, sharing her mixed feelings about her mother’s death. She acknowledged her mother’s complexities but also revealed the fear that gripped her during her childhood, stating, “This had a big impact on my life, and I feel a sense of freedom that my mum is no longer here.”
Graham, who lived on Fairfield Road in Cheltenham, initially denied murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to loss of control. His defense attorney, Mark Cotter KC, described the couple’s marriage, stating it was marked by numerous incidents of distress. Cotter emphasized that Graham had faced a difficult situation for many years.
Judge Peter Blair KC emphasized the tragic circumstances surrounding the case, noting the pain experienced by both Graham and his wife. He acknowledged the history of family tragedies and the significant toll of Mrs. Graham’s mental health struggles on her husband.
Detective Inspector Adam Stacey from Gloucestershire Police remarked on the profound impact of the incident, expressing sympathy for everyone affected by the case.
