A pensioner killed his wife of more than 60 years before leaving a note telling how 'it all became too much' and asking for forgiveness, prosecutors have told a court.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court heard on Monday that William Haxworth, now 88, is charged with murdering his wife Delia, but has been deemed to be unfit to stand trial.
Jurors - who were told they only have to determine whether Haxworth 'did the acts charged against him' - were told the defendant was spotted by members of the public threatening to jump from scaffolding in the centre of Bath on June 18 last year.
Andrew Langdon KC, prosecuting, said Haxworth informed those trying to help him and firefighters that he had murdered his wife.
Police went to the defendant's home in Upper Lansdown Mews, in the city, where they found 85-year-old Mrs Haxworth 'lifeless' on a bed, Mr Langdon said.
