Susan Hardwick. Photograph: South Yorkshire Police
A Doncaster woman has been sentenced to three years in prison after admitting the attempted murder of her mother while she was receiving end-of-life care.
Susan Hardwick, 65, of Beech Road, Armthorpe, pleaded guilty to the charge at Sheffield Crown Court in June this year and was sentenced at the same court on Friday, 24 October.
The incident occurred in July 2024 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, where hospital staff witnessed Hardwick pressing pillows into her mother’s face. The elderly woman was being treated in a palliative care ward at the time.
Staff intervened quickly, restraining Hardwick and alerting police. Responding officers arrived within minutes and detained her at the scene.
The victim sustained a minor neck injury, believed to have been caused by a small steak knife that Hardwick had brought into the hospital.
Investigating officer Gary Rawlings praised the swift actions of both hospital staff and police officers, describing the case as “unusual yet tragic.”
“A swift arrival at the hospital by response officers led to Hardwick’s arrest less than half an hour after the incident was reported to us,” he said.
“Evidence was captured and secured, with detectives gathering multiple witness statements. This resulted in a comprehensive case being presented to the Crown Prosecution Service that same night, and an attempted murder charge being secured.
“This is undoubtedly an unusual yet tragic case, and I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work in securing this outcome at court today.”
Hardwick will serve her sentence in custody and remain under supervision upon release.
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