Personality change 'provoked devoted husband's attack'

Head injuries blamed

A HUSBAND began physically attacking his wife of 40 years following a devastating traffic accident.

The devoted pair lived peaceably together for four decades until Des Tythcott, a former British Airways engineer, developed bipolar disorder and dysexecutive syndrome (DES) after being struck by a lorry, Newbury magistrates heard.

People with DES often lose their social skills because their judgments and insights into what others may be thinking are impaired

Helen Gambrill, prosecuting, said the 68-year-old’s common law wife, Rosemary Howett, was woken at 4am and went downstairs to find him laying out DIY power tools in the lounge.

She said: “An argument ensued about the tools that were strewn about and this defendant pushed her backwards so hard she fell over.

“Ms Howett left the lounge and called the mental health crisis team.”

Mr Tythcott, of Ferndale Avenue, Calcot, was arrested.

He admitted assaulting Ms Howett by beating her on March 1 this year and has been cautioned for a previous, recent assault on her.

Ms Gambrill said Ms Howett claimed there had been other recent assaults which she had not reported to police.

In interview, the court heard, he was confused about why he had been arrested but conceded that his wife would not be untruthful and that he must have acted as she said he had done.

Phil Kouvarytakis, defending, described the case as “sad” and said his client’s early hours DIY had been prompted by his bipolar disorder.

He said: “In 2002 his life changed dramatically following a traffic accident.

“He was hit by a lorry and was in intensive care for three weeks.”

Mr Kouvarytakis said Mr Tythcott’s bail conditions had banned him from the couple’s home but his wife had successfully applied for these to be relaxed so that she could care for him.

He concluded: “His medication has been changed and he feels better.

“He fears he has done significant damage to the relationship and wants to win back his wife’s trust.

“He knows it won’t be an easy road.”

Magistrates made Mr Tythcott subject to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £40 costs plus a statutory surcharge of £15.