A FARMER strangled his wife and thought of taking his own life after he became "fixated" about the risk of flooding, a court heard.
Peter Thurgarland's eldest daughter found him unconscious in a chair and her mother, Julia, dead on the dining room floor.
When police arrived at Low Farm, Maplebeck, near Southwell, they discovered furniture stacked as if in anticipation of floods, Nottingham Crown Court was told.
Thurgarland's mental health had begun to deteriorate in September last year and by December he was telling his family he was concerned that heavy rainfall might be coming again.
He was worried there might be a repeat of flooding in 2007, when he and his churchwarden wife had to live in a caravan for 18 months.
There were also concerns about his VAT returns being correct, which they were, and about tenant farmers.
Michael Auty QC, for the Crown, said: "In the middle of December the family were increasingly concerned about his mental health and it was getting to the point of complete fixation about the risk of flooding and the possibility the family might be somehow rendered homeless."
Thurgarland visited his doctor who prescribed him antidepressants on December 17. By the 27th he and his wife had returned to the doctor, because his mental state had deteriorated.
The doctor referred him for a psychiatric assessment on Friday, December 28, the day he allegedly killed his wife.
His eldest daughter, Jane O'Connell, went to her parent's home when she discovered her father had not kept the appointment. She arrived at 3.50pm and entered the house through an unlocked back door, and discovered her parents.
Mr Thurgarland had attempted to smother his wife a fortnight earlier, before he allegedly ended her life with a length of rope, the court heard.
During police interviews, 72-year-old Mr Thurgarland confessed to killing his wife of 45 years, gave details about what he had done and accepted he strangled her.
Although he is charged with murder, jurors were told yesterday he was unfit to be tried.
Psychiatrists have concluded he has a severe depressive illness and an element of psychotic illness, such as delusion.
Mr Thurgarland remains in a psychiatric hospital and is not capable of taking part in a criminal trial.
The jury's task is to decide whether or not they are sure Mr Thurgarland killed his wife, so his future can be decided.
The case is due to finish today.
