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Man killed wife 'during a dream'

by Babel-Fish | November 17, 2009 at 12:37 pm

184 views | 2 Recommendations | 3 comments

Tall story of the week, man kills wife whilst asleep, I personal can not believe the guy. But its a novel defense and it would seem his kids believe it?

The trial of a husband accused of murdering his wife as they slept in a camper van has heard he killed her while he dreamt she was an intruder.

Christine Thomas, 57, was killed in Aberporth, Ceredigion, in July 2008.

Swansea Crown Court heard Brian Thomas, 59, of Neath, accepts he killed her but says he has a sleep disorder which had been triggered by "boy racer activity".

Jurors have been told they can reach a verdict of not guilty or of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Prosecuting barrister Paul Thomas QC, in his opening words to the jury on Tuesday morning, described the case as "highly unusual".

He described how Mr Thomas killed his wife, his childhood sweetheart, because he had dreamt she was a man who had broken into their motor home.

The court was told Mr Thomas's disorder meant he was not in control of his actions when he strangled his partner of 40 years.

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stejeb

at 10:45 on November 18th, 2009

I read the full story on this one, I didn't see it as a tall story, but I did see it as tragic, for all concerned. I just thought how lucky most of us are to not to suffer from such an awful disorder....much as I do about all the other mental health problems that affect many unfortunate people. "There but for the grace......"

d4j4eva (not verified)

at 11:13 on November 18th, 2009

well for your information i am one of the daughters and you have no idea what we have been through. what a cheek to say "the children seem to believe him" we support him 100% as we know that they were a loving couple and also the background to his sleep problems and how he is a broken man due to what has happened.This tragedy has devastated my dads life and also us all as a family. HAVE A HEART !

Bob Bob (not verified)

at 12:06 on December 1st, 2009

I have the same issue, I once almost killed my ex-girlfriend because I was having a dream fighting someone, I had them in a headlock in my dream but when she finally got me to wake up by elbowing me in the ribs she was gasping for breath.My poor wife (Not the same girl as before) has been on the receiving end of a few sleep attacks when I was having a dream of fighting my brother I woke up when I punched my brother in the dream and I actually hit her right in the eye, she had the worst black eye and she had the explain to everyone that I was asleep, no one believed her except my family, they had to deal with my night terrors for years and I still have issues acting out my dreams, that's why I don't own a gun or have any sharp objects within my bedroom.I hope they don't charge this man with murder, that's an awful thing to go through. I'm scared to death of hurting my wife, I always sleep facing away just in case I have fighting dreams, and they do happen a lot more often when under stress.