Stewart Irwin

Stewart Irwin was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter following a trial at Carlisle Crown Court. The court heard that Irwin, who acted as his mother's carer, failed to provide assistance to her while she lay on their bathroom floor for two weeks in July 2023. When paramedics were finally called on 28 July 2023, they discovered the victim unconscious, malnourished, and suffering from severe pressure ulcers and hypothermia. She was transported to the hospital, where she subsequently died.

During the trial, the jury heard that Irwin continued his daily life while his mother lay dying, including making multiple trips to a local shop to purchase cider and withdrawing money from her bank account. Evidence presented to the court indicated that Irwin had ignored his mother's critical state for an extended period, despite his role as her primary carer.

Mr Justice Bright sentenced Irwin to six-and-a-half years in prison, stating that the defendant had made a conscious decision to leave his mother without help while she was approaching death. The defence argued that Irwin had lower than average intellectual functioning and had previously claimed his mother refused assistance, but the jury reached a unanimous guilty verdict.