Fishcross, Clackmannanshire – A tragic case unfolded as a judge ruled that a loving husband with severe dementia was responsible for the death of his wife of 50 years, Catherine Pryde. John Pryde, 77, faced accusations of murdering Catherine at their home in Fishcross. However, due to his condition, he was declared unfit to stand trial.
During an examination of facts hearing at the High Court in Dundee, Judge Lord Arthurson determined that Mr. Pryde was not guilty of the murder charge and ordered his detention at the State Hospital in Carstairs. The court heard that Catherine Pryde’s body was found bloodstained on the kitchen floor, having suffered blunt force trauma to her head, chest, and neck.
Lord Arthurson acknowledged that the attack was completely out of character for Mr. Pryde, noting that the couple had a loving and fulfilling relationship. The judge emphasized that Catherine Pryde had sustained injuries akin to those seen in road traffic accidents. Tragically, she passed away just a week before their golden wedding anniversary.
Evidence presented in court revealed that blood was found in various rooms throughout the couple’s home. Mr. Pryde, who had been diagnosed with dementia the previous year, had alerted a neighbor to the presence of a body in his house, claiming he did not recognize the individual. When questioned by police, Mr. Pryde displayed a lack of understanding of the events and no recollection of his wife’s death.
Psychiatrist Dr. Prathima Apurva testified that Mr. Pryde, detained at the State Hospital since the incident, was incapable of understanding the nature of his actions due to the severity of his condition. The prosecutor described the case as “very tragic” for the family, emphasizing that Mr. Pryde’s actions that night were influenced by his cognitive impairment. An examination of the facts hearing provided an opportunity for both the Crown and the defense to present evidence without a jury present.