Devoted husband charged with killing 'lovely and kind' wife of 45 years amidst stress of coronavirus lockdown
A man has appeared in court over accusations that he killed his wife of 45 years during the coronavirus lockdown in the UK.
Anthony Williams, 69, from Brynhlas, Cwmbran, South Wales, was arrested last week after police received a 999 call to his home five days after the government imposed a series of wide-ranging guidelines to combat the Covid-19. His wife, Ruth Williams, 67, a former ASDA supermarket worker, was found "unconscious and unresponsive" shortly before 7 am on Saturday, March 28, and was rushed to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Ruth died at the hospital of suspected head injuries.
The Daily Mail reported that she had received her injuries several hours before the 999 call was made to emergency services to respond to the couple's $199,000 semi-detached home on the Brynglas Estate, Cwmbran.
Speaking about the attack, a spokesperson for the Gwent Police said, "Gwent Police received a call to an address in Brynglas, Cwmbran at around 6:50 am on Saturday 28 March. 67-year-old Ruth Williams was found unconscious and unresponsive at the premises. She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport where she sadly died."
"A 69-year-old man was arrested, he's since been charged with murder."
Ruth, a mother-of-one, had been married to Anthony for 45 years and neighbors said the couple appeared to be "devoted" to each other. Their daughter, Emma, is said to be "devastated" over her mother's death.
Several tributes poured in for Ruth, who was described as a "lovely and kind" mother.
"She was a smart and attractive woman with a great sense of humor," one neighbor said. "She always had a smile and a little twinkle in her eye - it's such a shock that she had gone."
"She and her husband seemed to be devoted to each other, there was nothing to say this was going to happen. But people are getting stressed over being locked up together at the moment, I hope that's not what's happened with Ruth."
Anthony appeared at the Cardiff Magistrates’ Court this morning for a two-minute hearing in connection to his wife's death on Monday, March 30. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address.
He was remanded in custody by District Judge Stephen Harmes and is due to appear at Cardiff Crown Court tomorrow.
Ruth's death came after campaigners warned that the lockdown would make it "tougher" than normal for families who were already at risk of domestic violence.
"We know there's a massive influx likely and it will be a pandemic on a pandemic," said Rachel Williams, of Stand Up to Domestic Abuse. "The perpetrators and the victims would normally spend some parts of the day in work or socializing."
"That could give the victims breathing space and someone to talk to," she continued. "The children are also not in school which means they don't have a safety net - and in some cases a decent meal. Now they're all sharing their surroundings 24/7 with no breathing space. It will be tougher than normal."