A MAN who tried to suffocate his wife as she slept as he could not cope with the mess builders were causing in their new home has walked free from court.

Alec Jordison was cleared of attempted murder on the grounds of insanity after a trial last month and returned to court today (Friday, December 20) to be sentenced.

The 70-year-old, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, was given a two-year community order with probation supervision by Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court agreed with Jordison's assertion that he was not in his right state of mind and as such did not know what he was doing was wrong.

Jordison, who has been treated for severe depression, had forced his hand over wife Pam's mouth as she slept and then pinched her nose to stop her breathing.

However, Mrs Jordison, who has been married to her husband for 35 years, awoke and then bit the defendant's hand in order to get him off her.

Jordison, who is known as 'Dave', had described in his own words how the couple's new home in Fountains Road was in an horrendous state and “like a building site”.

He found himself unable to cope and was accused of trying to kill his wife on October 8 last year with the intention of then taking his own life.

Before returning a not guilty verdict, the jury had asked for a letter written by Mrs Jordison to be re-read - in which she described him as a caring husband and a great father.