Clacton: Man jailed for wife's murder
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A man who admitted murdering his wife after attacking her in their home in Clacton has been jailed.
John Berry called 999 after carrying out the attack on his wife Edna in Turpins Close shortly before 1pm on Tuesday 21 February 2023.
We arrived alongside ambulance service colleagues and found Edna, 80, had sustained a serious head injury.
She was taken to hospital for treatment but, very sadly, later died.
John Berry, now 85, of Turpins Close, Clacton, was subsequently charged with murder.
He initially admitted manslaughter but was due to stand trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in November last year.
However, at the start of the trial he entered a guilty plea to murder.
He was sentenced today, Friday 5 January, at Chelmsford Crown Court to 10 years in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Ant Alcock, who has led our investigation from the outset, said:
“Although we have seen a man convicted of the most serious offence today, there will be no triumphant words from me.
“I simply want to take this opportunity to offer my sincere sympathy to all those impacted by John Berry’s actions eleven months ago.
“Understandably, Edna’s family have been deeply affected by this incident and throughout an incredibly testing time, they have handled themselves with dignity.
“Today’s sentence is unlikely to provide them with any closure and my only thoughts are with them. I sincerely hope that, with time, their pain eases.
“As I have said before, this incident was simply tragic.”
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