A woman has been sentenced to prison for sleeping beside her partner’s deceased body for a period of three weeks. Sally Smithson, 61, admitted to obstructing the proper burial of her partner, John Blackwell, who passed away around October 1 last year, but was only found by authorities on October 21.
During the trial at Oxford Crown Court, it was revealed that Mr. Blackwell’s body was significantly decomposed when discovered, indicating a prolonged period since his passing. The court also disclosed that Mr. Blackwell, aged 71, had a severe heart condition.
The prosecutor, Charles Ward-Jackson, informed the court that Smithson and Mr. Blackwell had a tumultuous relationship marred by alcohol-fueled disputes and domestic abuse. Smithson had previous convictions for violence against Mr. Blackwell.
According to Ward-Jackson, the police found Mr. Blackwell’s body in an advanced state of decomposition on the bedroom floor. The court learned that the deceased had not been seen alive since September 19, and suspicions arose when the couple’s cleaner’s services were repeatedly canceled around that time.
Neighbors reported observing suspicious behavior from Smithson, including peering through windows, while text messages were sent from Mr. Blackwell’s phone posthumously in an attempt to deceive others about his whereabouts.
Smithson falsely informed people that Mr. Blackwell was out or recovering from a hospital visit when questioned about his absence. The police were eventually alerted by the cleaner on October 21, leading to the discovery of Mr. Blackwell’s body.
During the sentencing on February 20, Peter Du Feu, representing Smithson, stated that she initially considered contacting the coroner’s office but eventually chose to ignore the situation. Smithson expressed remorse and deep sorrow for her actions.
Smithson, residing in Clare near Thame in South Oxfordshire, received a 14-month prison term from Judge Michael Gledhill KC, who emphasized the gravity of the offense and its impact on public decency. He described the situation as tragic and noted the volatile nature of the relationship between Smithson and Mr. Blackwell.
