Stewart Irwin has been jailed for six and a half years for the manslaughter of his elderly mother, whom he left on the floor for two weeks after she suffered a fall.
The 56-year-old, who lived with his mother Veronica at a property in Rydal Street, Carlisle, was convicted following a trial at Carlisle Crown Court and sentenced on Friday (11 September).
The court heard that Irwin's mother died on July 28, 2023. On that date, he contacted the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), reporting that his mother had collapsed in the wet room and was refusing to get up.
Paramedics initially believed she had already died
Irwin told the call handler that his mother had been lying on the floor for a fortnight and had been declining food and assistance, describing her as "one of those stubborn old women". He said he had finally decided to call for an ambulance because her skin had developed a blue tinge.
During the call, he also remarked "I could have killed her myself" before adding: "Ah, I don't want to say that."
Four paramedics responded to the property and, upon entering, initially believed his mother had already died due to her severely neglected condition, which included serious pressure sores and an insect infestation.
Mother died in hospital the same evening
When questioned by paramedics about the delay in seeking help, Irwin claimed she would not allow him to call for assistance. On police arrival, he said his mother had consistently told him not to contact anyone, stating: "I said you want an ambulance and she said no, no, no."
His mother was taken to hospital but died that same evening. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as hypothermia and neglected pressure ulcers.
Police conducted two interviews with Irwin following his mother's death, and on both occasions he replied "no comment" to questions.
Police describe 'truly horrendous conditions'
Speaking outside court, Detective Constable Emma Armstrong from Cumbria Police said: "Veronica Irwin died in truly horrendous conditions because her son – who presented himself as her carer – refused to get help for her."
"Irwin had countless chances to ask for help as his mother lay on the floor but waited until it was too late to act," she continued. "The fact that experienced paramedics initially suspected Veronica had already passed away when they arrived demonstrates the terrible condition she was allowed to descend into before Irwin finally acted."
