Man admits murdering wife

A man has pleaded guilty to the murder of his wife in Stoke-on-Trent.

Peter Matthews, aged 80, of Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, called 999 on 22 March to tell us what he did. 

Officers went to the scene on Denton Grove with paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Sadly, Carol Matthews, aged 73, was found dead inside.

Peter was taken to hospital. Once he was discharged, he was taken to custody and charged with murder.

He told officers that he used a pillow to suffocate Carol.

Yesterday (Thursday 11 July), at Stafford Crown Court, Matthews pleaded guilty to murder.

He is due to be sentenced at the same court on 9 August this year.

Detective Inspector Lisa Holland, from our Major Investigations Department, worked on the case. She said: “This was such a tragic case that has left the family devastated. I can’t begin to imagine what they are feeling.

“We’ve been focussing our efforts on supporting them as much as possible at such a difficult time whilst gathering the evidence needed for the case.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of the team that worked on this investigation, are still very much with them.”