A transgender carer who suffocated her father who was suffering from multiple sclerosis has been found guilty of murder this morning.
Claire Darbyshire, 36, killed her 67-year-old father Brian at their home in Wykeham Green, Dagenham, on September 2 last year.
After deliberating for 11 hours and 32 minutes, a jury unanimously found Darbyshire guilty of murder at the Old Bailey.
During the trial, the jury had been asked to consider the grounds for murder, manslaughter and assisted suicide.
The defendant gave no reaction as the verdict was delivered, while family members left court in tears.
The Recorder of London, Nicholas Hilliard QC, adjourned sentencing to a date to be fixed and asked for a prison report, saying he wanted to understand the impact of custody “in the particular circumstances”.
Do you know Claire or did you know Brian Darbyshire? Email mark.shales@archant.co.uk or call 020 8477 3824.
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