Pensioner avoids jail over poisoning wife’s tea

A PENSIONER who gave his estranged wife a poisoned chalice in a misguided attempt to woo her has escaped jail.

William Dowling, 69, of Colne, Lancashire, slipped mercury into Maureen Dowling’s tea on at least five occasions because he planned to win her affection, when she became ill, by nursing her back to health.

Dowling received a 350-day prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Preston Crown Court. Judge Robert Brown also imposed an 18-month supervision order.