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Two held over disabled man's "assisted suicide"

TWO people have been arrested on suspicion of assisting the suicide of a severely disabled 76-year-old man who travelled from Britain to Switzerland to die, police said today.

Retired engineer Douglas Sinclair suffered from the debilitating disorder multiple system atrophy and was being cared for at a care home in Jarrow, South Tyneside, when his condition got worse.

The father-of-one is believed to have travelled to an assisted suicide clinic in Zurich, where he died around five weeks ago.

A death notice in the Shields Gazette newspaper said Mr Douglas, a widower, died peacefully and with dignity following an illness courageously borne.

Northumbria Police said: "A 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man from South Shields have been arrested on suspicion of intentionally doing an act to assist or encourage suicide following the death of a 76-year-old man in Switzerland."

Both have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Comments(3)

Dean M says...
2:06pm Thu 2 Sep 10

The sooner they change the law so that such people can choose (with appropriate safeguards) to die with dignity in this country, the better.
.
Expensive police time would be better spent elsewhere.

Lawman3 says...
3:57pm Thu 2 Sep 10

It seems that, if you try to prolong an animal's life when it has significant health problems, you would be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
The law, however, seems to compel humans to live to the bitter end, despite the suffering it may cause.
I can see no justifiable reason to deny people the right to die with dignity.

stevegg says...
4:28pm Thu 2 Sep 10

If this is the dying persons wish, they are of sound mind and the immediate family agree what is the issue? Why prolong the lingering death for such people, we dont treat animals this way. The law needs changing if loved ones are going to be prosecuted for this. I would do exactly the same if I were in their position. Dean M is right to say this is a waste of police time and resources which could and should be put to better use elsewhere, what a waste of money if this should ever reach a court as no jury in their right mind would convict a person for this.

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