Retired chartered accountant, 65, is charged with murdering her 78-year-old husband who was found stabbed to death at the couple’s £300,000 home in Somerset village – as locals say they were the ‘perfect neighbours’
- Police officers were called to Berrow on Somerset coast at 9.15pm on Saturday
- Man had been seriously injured and was pronounced dead at the scene
- Penelope Jackson, 65, has been charged with murder and will appear in court today
A retired accountant has been charged with murdering her husband at their Somerset home over the weekend.
Penelope Jackson, 65, of Parsonage Road, is alleged to have stabbed partner David Jackson to death on Saturday.
Police and paramedics were called to the village of Berrow where they found the 78-year-old severely injured. He was later pronounced dead.
A post-mortem carried out yesterday revealed he had died following a number of stab wounds.
Jackson was later remanded in custody and is due to appear at Taunton Magistrates Court today.
Penelope Jackson, 65, of Parsonage Road, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Taunton Magistrates Court today
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Formal identification is yet to take place, but we believe the man to be David Jackson.
‘His family have been informed and are receiving support from a specialist family liaison officer at this difficult time. They have asked for their privacy to be respected.
‘We’d urge anyone with concerns about the incident to speak with the officers in the area and they will be happy to help.’
Forensic officers were seen behind a police cordon at the bungalow today.
Shocked neighbours of Jackson say they had ‘never heard a cross word’ exchanged between the couple.
Locals in the village of Berrow, near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, told of the couple’s love of gardening at the £300,000 detached bungalow they shared in a peaceful cul de sac.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: ‘They were the perfect neighbours. They were always friendly, didn’t make a lot of noise and I literally never heard a raised voice or cross word between them.
‘They loved gardening and were out there night and day, working away.
‘I don’t know what has happened. The first I heard was when the police and an ambulance arrived on Saturday. It is such a shame.’
Another neighbour said: ‘They seemed like a nice, ordinary couple. I’d see them coming and going and we’d always exchange hellos and they seemed very pleasant.
‘Whatever has gone on in there is terribly sad for all concerned.’
It is believed Mr and Mrs Jackson move into their home around eight years ago.
Police and paramedics were called to the village of Berrow on Saturday evening after a 78-year-old man was reported as severely injured
Officers were called to Berrow in Somerset at 9.15pm on Saturday after paramedics reported a male had been seriously injured
DI Roger Doxsey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the man’s family at this time.
‘A family liaison officer will provide specialist support to them at this difficult time.
‘Our enquiries are at a very early stage, but we believe this to be an isolated incident at this time.
One woman has been arrested and she is currently in police custody
‘A police cordon remains in place and will do for some time while enquiries are carried out.
‘Additional patrols will be taking place as a precaution and we’d urge anyone with concerns about this incident to talk to those officers.
‘We’d ask any witnesses with information that may help our enquiries to call 101 and give the call-handler reference 5221032125.’
Alternatively, anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. They never ask your name and you will not need to speak with police.