86:. They proposed a review of sentencing for domestic homicides, contrasting Anthony Williams' sentence with that of a woman who received a life sentence for murder of her abusive husband, later reduced to 14 years for manslaughter. They argued that women are more likely to use weapons to kill abusive partners as they are often physically weaker than men, and therefore receive aggravated sentences for using weapons.
37:, and when a lockdown was imposed, he feared that he would not leave the house again. According to Anthony Williams' police interviews, his wife told him to "just get over" his fears when they were in bed, and in his own words he "snapped" and attacked her, continuing the violence downstairs. He alerted his neighbours, who then called the police.
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Anthony
Williams was found not guilty of murder in a unanimous verdict. The starting point for a manslaughter sentence is between one and seven years, rising to life imprisonment at maximum. Due to the sustained nature of the attack, he would have faced seven-and-a-half years, but this was reduced to
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ruled that it was correct for the trial judge not to consider sentencing guidelines for domestic abuse, as "There was no history of controlling behaviour or coercive behaviour or any previous incidents of violence or abuse… Quite the contrary". Commenting on the court's decision, Labour MP Harriet
20:, Wales, strangled his 67-year-old wife Ruth to death. The following February, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility, and was acquitted of murder. His defence argued that he acted due to his mental state, which had been worsened due to the
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Harman said, "Saying
Williams’ actions are wholly explained by his illness shows the courts are simply still too ready to accept excuses.... To say it’s not domestic abuse, when a man kills his wife, is fatuous. This is the ultimate, most extreme form of domestic abuse."
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According to testimony by the
Williams' daughter, the couple had no history of violence or argument. She said that her father became obsessed with reducing his energy bills in January 2020, even though he was financially secure. He then became obsessed with news about
49:. One psychologist, Dr Alison Witts, argued that his faculties were impaired due to anxiety, that was worsened by the pandemic and lockdown. Dr Damian Gamble, another psychologist, said that the defendant had no history of mental illness.
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While the trial was ongoing, a Welsh anti-domestic violence activist wrote a tweet in which she speculated that
Anthony Williams had a history of abuse, something denied in his daughter's testimony. The activist, and
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to carry out a domestic homicide review, which had previously been refused on the basis that Ruth
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While
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who shared the tweet, were reprimanded by the judge for "a clear contempt of court", though no formal action was taken.
407:"Politician Helen Mary Jones reprimanded in court for sharing tweets that could have caused collapse of murder trial"
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five due to his guilty plea. At sentencing, he was told he would likely serve half of this sentence in prison.
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named
Williams as an example in their campaign to highlight abuse and violence towards elderly women.
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179:"'Unduly lenient' sentence review for Cwmbran man Anthony Williams, who strangled wife to death"
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wrote letters to the
Attorney General, asking for the case to be reviewed in the
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330:"Court refuses to increase sentence of pensioner jailed for strangling wife"
381:"End femicide: 278 dead – the hidden scandal of older women killed by men"
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In March 2021, Ellis referred the sentence to the Court of
Appeals as
119:. The following month, the court refused to increase the sentence;
302:"Ruth Williams: Court of Appeal referral over 'lenient' sentence"
279:"Cwmbran lockdown killer got 'unduly lenient' jail term, say MPs"
205:"Pensioner Anthony Williams jailed for killing wife in lockdown"
358:"Priti Patel orders review into Ruth Williams lockdown killing"
230:"Cwmbran wife-killer Anthony Williams: Judge's full remarks"
66:The Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs and
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440:2020 crimes in the United Kingdom
300:Birt, Elizabeth (19 March 2021).
379:Roberts, Yvonne (7 March 2021).
108:. According to Harman, a former
470:Violence against women in Wales
405:Hale, Adam (18 February 2021).
203:Hale, Adam (18 February 2021).
150:Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
134:Torfaen County Borough Council
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450:British manslaughter victims
281:. BBC News. 19 February 2021
255:Sharp, Jess (8 March 2021).
181:. ITV News. 19 February 2021
435:March 2020 crimes in Europe
62:Referral to Court of Appeal
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360:. BBC News. 7 March 2021
460:Deaths by strangulation
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28:Background and killing
106:High Court of Appeals
82:and Attorney General
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47:Swansea Crown Court
236:. 20 February 2021
132:Patel ordered for
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259:. Sky News
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413:16 March
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311:20 March
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