Pensioner with dementia, 81, stabbed his wife of 50 years to death in ‘sudden violent attack’ that could not have been predicted before police SHOT him with rubber bullets, report finds
- Michael Hubbard, 81, attacked his wife Hilda, 76, at sheltered housing bungalow
- Mrs Hubbard tried to leave the home but she was pronounced dead at the scene
- Armed police used rubber bullets as Mr Hubbard tried to stab himself in chest
A pensioner with dementia who stabbed his wife of 50 years to death had launched a ‘sudden violent attack’ which could not have been predicted, a report has found.
Michael Hubbard attacked his 76-year-old wife, Hilda, at their sheltered housing bungalow in Brooke, Norfolk, in September 2018.
Neighbours witnessed Mrs Hubbard trying to leave the home and called for an ambulance, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, lying in her doorway.
Armed police attended and used rubber bullets as Mr Hubbard, 81, refused to put two knives down and tried to stab himself in the chest.
The pair were a ‘self-sufficient couple’ but Mrs Hubbard was placed at risk ‘from changes in his behaviour’, when she began caring for her husband, the report found.
There was no evidence to suggest Mrs Hubbard had experienced domestic violence or abuse at any time in their 50-year marriage, prior to her murder.
Michael Hubbard, 81, was shot by police with rubber bullets after he stabbed his 76-year-old wife Frances Hubbard (pictured together), to death
Neighbours witnessed Mrs Hubbard trying to leave the home and called for an ambulance, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, lying in her doorway
There was no evidence to suggest Mrs Hubbard had experienced domestic violence or abuse at any time in their 50-year marriage, prior to her murder. Pictured, police at the scene
He was arrested and charged with murder but was assessed by a psychiatrist as unfit to plead.
He has been detained in a mental health secure unit.
Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership carried out a domestic homicide review to see if lessons could be learned from the incident, after Mr Hubbard first expressed concerns about his memory to his GP in 2014.
It was published using pseudonyms chosen by family members.
Mrs Hubbard’s family ‘believe that, had she accepted professional help in caring for (her husband), then the fatal stabbing may have been prevented as professionals would have identified the increasing risk to (her),’ the report said.
‘However, the GP had regular contact with the couple and, despite careful monitoring, could not have predicted (Mr Hubbard’s) sudden violent attack upon (his wife).’
The report’s authors concluded that there was ‘no conclusive evidence to suggest’ that Mrs Hubbard ‘experienced domestic violence or abuse at any time in her relationship with (Mr Hubbard) prior to her murder’.
The sheltered housing bungalow in Brooke near Norwich, Norfolk, where Mrs Hubbard was found by police
Flower tributes were lay outside the home where Mr Hubbard stabbed his wife
They were a ‘self-sufficient couple’ but, when Mr Hubbard became unwell with dementia, Mrs Hubbard ‘was at risk from changes in his behaviour’, the report found, adding that this ‘could not have been anticipated by professionals’.
‘(Mrs Hubbard) did not at any time give any indication that she was experiencing domestic abuse or coercion and control,’ the report said.
‘There was no reason for professional staff to delve deeper and it is likely that any probing would have alienated the couple from those services that they trusted.
‘However, this review has highlighted the need to explore how older people living in rural areas can be reached in a way that is acceptable and meaningful for them.’