Mother admits aiding daughter's suicide

A woman admitted aiding and abetting the suicide of her seriously-ill daughter when she appeared in court today.

Bridget Kathleen Gilderdale, 54, known as Kay, was arrested at her home in Stonegate, near Heathfield, East Sussex, following the death of her daughter Lynn, 31, who suffered from ME, on 4 December last year.

She pleaded guilty to the charge during a brief hearing at Lewes Crown Court today, but denied a charge of attempted murder and one of aiding and abetting attempted suicide.

She is alleged to have committed the offences against her daughter, who was struck down with ME at the age of 14, between 2 December and 5 December.

Judge Richard Brown ordered the case to be tried by a High Court judge and set a provisional trial date for 12 January next year.

Gilderdale, who was accompanied at court by her family, was given conditional bail.

After she was charged her family released a statement in which they said she retained their "unconditional support".

They also said that Lynn, who was left paralysed, showed "immense bravery" during her 17-year battle against ME, enduring constant pain and requiring 24-hour care.