Gwynedd man who killed wife of 53 years in Christmas Day stabbing incident jailed for just over three years

A 76-year-old retired engineer who killed his wife of 53 years by stabbing her in the neck on Christmas Day last year has been jailed.

Thomas Bryan and his wife, Vivienne Ellen Bryan, were at their home in Fairbourne, Gwynedd, when he used a kitchen knife to cause the fatal injury.

Bryan was convicted of manslaughter at Caernarfon Crown Court yesterday, but found not guilty of murder.

He has today been sentenced to more than three years (38 months) in prison.

On the day of the incident, North Wales Police were contacted at around 8pm resulting in officers and the ambulance service arriving at the property.

Despite the efforts of the paramedics who attended, Vivienne Bryan died at the scene.

Detective constable Kath Culshaw said: “I would like to extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Vivienne, who have been deeply affected by her death.

“The tragic events of Christmas day relayed throughout this trial highlight the consequences of domestic abuse.