Howard Martin
Encyclopedia
Howard Martin is a former British
doctor who was prosecuted for the murder of three patients in 2005 but acquitted. In June 2010, after being struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council for hastening the deaths of 18 patients, he admitted in a newspaper interview bringing forward the deaths of two patients, including his terminally-ill son.
in 1977 and worked in Newton Aycliffe
, England
. He now lives in Penmaenmawr
, Wales
. In 2004 the police opened an investigation into his activities after relatives voiced concern regarding the manner of patients' deaths.
. The trial lasted six weeks. Weldon had his life shortened by "two hours" according to the prosecution when Martin gave him a terminal dose of painkillers. Police put down the failure to convict to the fact that Martin chose to remain silent during the proceedings meaning cross-examination was impossible.
In 2007 an inquest was also held into the death of William Kerr, 84. His remains had been exhumed as part of the 2004 investigation into Martin. An open verdict
was reached due to the advanced state of the body's decomposition
.
On 18 June 2010 a General Medical Council
hearing struck Martin off the medical register for hastening the deaths of 18 patients in what the hearing described as "despicable and dangerous" conduct. Panel chairman Professor Brian Gomes da Costa also said that "Dr Martin's actions were indicative of an autocratic attitude, in that he seemed always to consider that he was right and rejected, or did not seek, the views of others. He repeatedly broke the trust to which patients are entitled; this is unjustifiable."
stated that it would look into his statements to see if a new prosecution was warranted. Martin told the Daily Telegraph, "They can come after me if they like. But I’m nearly 76 now and will be 77 or 78 by the time anything happens. I am an old man. Whatever they try to do to me, my conscience is still clear."
In the interviews, Martin rejected any similarity to the case of Harold Shipman
, and listed the differences between them:
In February 2011 the CPS decided not to prosecute Martin for the deaths.
, instead being concerned with patients' dignity in death. He said in June 2010, "It’s not playing God to tend to people’s need with compassion and to let them have dignity." He has also denied being similar to serial killer
Harold Shipman
.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
doctor who was prosecuted for the murder of three patients in 2005 but acquitted. In June 2010, after being struck off the medical register by the General Medical Council for hastening the deaths of 18 patients, he admitted in a newspaper interview bringing forward the deaths of two patients, including his terminally-ill son.
Career
Martin qualified in 1957 and went on to work as a doctor in the British army for 18 years before he became a general practitionerGeneral practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
in 1977 and worked in Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe is a town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1947 under the New Towns Act of 1946, it is the oldest new town in the north of England.-Geography:...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He now lives in Penmaenmawr
Penmaenmawr
PenmaenmawrConwyPenmaenmawr is a town in the parish of Dwygyfylchi, in Conwy County Borough, Wales. The population was 3857 in 2001. It is a quarrying town, though the latter is no longer a major employer, on the North Wales coast between Conwy and Llanfairfechan.The town was bypassed by the A55...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. In 2004 the police opened an investigation into his activities after relatives voiced concern regarding the manner of patients' deaths.
Trial
In 2005 Martin was prosecuted for the deaths of three patients: Harry Gittins, 74, Stanley Weldon, 74, and Frank Moss, 59, all from County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
. The trial lasted six weeks. Weldon had his life shortened by "two hours" according to the prosecution when Martin gave him a terminal dose of painkillers. Police put down the failure to convict to the fact that Martin chose to remain silent during the proceedings meaning cross-examination was impossible.
In 2007 an inquest was also held into the death of William Kerr, 84. His remains had been exhumed as part of the 2004 investigation into Martin. An open verdict
Open verdict
The Open verdict is an option open to a Coroner's jury at an Inquest in the legal system of England and Wales. The verdict strictly means that the jury confirms that the death is suspicious but is unable to reach any of the other verdicts open to them...
was reached due to the advanced state of the body's decomposition
Decomposition
Decomposition is the process by which organic material is broken down into simpler forms of matter. The process is essential for recycling the finite matter that occupies physical space in the biome. Bodies of living organisms begin to decompose shortly after death...
.
On 18 June 2010 a General Medical Council
General Medical Council
The General Medical Council registers and regulates doctors practising in the United Kingdom. It has the power to revoke or restrict a doctor's registration if it deems them unfit to practise...
hearing struck Martin off the medical register for hastening the deaths of 18 patients in what the hearing described as "despicable and dangerous" conduct. Panel chairman Professor Brian Gomes da Costa also said that "Dr Martin's actions were indicative of an autocratic attitude, in that he seemed always to consider that he was right and rejected, or did not seek, the views of others. He repeatedly broke the trust to which patients are entitled; this is unjustifiable."
Telegraph interviews
In 2010 Martin gave a series of interviews to Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper about his treatment of patients. In these interviews, he claimed there had been a prosecution "vendetta" against him and that all he had done was try to ease the pain of his patients. He admitted shortening the life of some patients, often without their express permission, but denied committing murder. He also admitted helping his terminally-ill son to die. The Crown Prosecution ServiceCrown Prosecution Service
The Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS, is a non-ministerial department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for public prosecutions of people charged with criminal offences in England and Wales. Its role is similar to that of the longer-established Crown Office in Scotland, and the...
stated that it would look into his statements to see if a new prosecution was warranted. Martin told the Daily Telegraph, "They can come after me if they like. But I’m nearly 76 now and will be 77 or 78 by the time anything happens. I am an old man. Whatever they try to do to me, my conscience is still clear."
In the interviews, Martin rejected any similarity to the case of Harold Shipman
Harold Shipman
Harold Fredrick Shipman was an English doctor and one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history with 218 murders being positively ascribed to him....
, and listed the differences between them:
- "Shipman was a psychopath acting on his own needs [...] I believe I’m a normal, caring practitioner."
- "Dr Shipman used opiate drugs for himself. I am drugs free."
- "He killed for his own power and satisfaction and pleasure. I merely kept patients asleep when they were in dire circumstances."
- "Dr Shipman chose patients who were not terminal. I only treated patients who were imminently dying."
- "Dr Shipman got heroin illegally by fraud. I did everything above board and on prescription."
- "We have to buy the drugs privately and submit a bill to the Government. I want to lead my life righteously and truthfully."
- "Dr Shipman took material advantage from his dead patients. I never took any advantage."
- "Relatives were not present when he gave the injections. In my case the patient’s family were always informed and were usually present."
- "Dr Shipman didn’t discuss his management with the patients. I always did."
- "Dr Shipman chose which patients he would deal with. My patients always called for help in the normal fashion."
- "Dr Shipman’s motives were psychopathic. My motive was to secure lack of suffering and some dignity for patients by keeping them asleep."
In February 2011 the CPS decided not to prosecute Martin for the deaths.
Beliefs
Martin has claimed that he is not an advocate of euthanasiaEuthanasia
Euthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
, instead being concerned with patients' dignity in death. He said in June 2010, "It’s not playing God to tend to people’s need with compassion and to let them have dignity." He has also denied being similar to serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
Harold Shipman
Harold Shipman
Harold Fredrick Shipman was an English doctor and one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history with 218 murders being positively ascribed to him....
.
External links
- Doctor facing police investigation admits shortening one life by up to a fortnight, Telegraph
- Daughters claim Howard Martin deliberately shortened mother's life, Telegraph - interview with family of an alleged victim.