Cream bun poison man walks free from court (From Penarth Times)

Cream bun poison man walks free from court

A DINAS Powys father has walked free from court after attempting to poison his wife with a cream bun.

Terence Bennet, 46, of St Illtyd Close, mixed crushed sleeping tablets with jam on the bun and served it to his wife Kathryn.

But Cardiff Crown Court heard Mrs Bennet, 44, became suspicious when she noticed white powder around the cake and refused to eat it.

Prosecutor Leighton Hughes said: "She became suspicious when he returned from work with two iced cream buns. She rang her daughter who called the police to the couple's smart semi-detached home."

They seized the cakes and found the equivalent of two doses of the sedative nitrazapam. The court was told Mrs Bennet had become suspicious of her husband's behaviour after their 26-year marriage started to falter.

Mr Hughes said: "Bennet had been acting strangely and out of character in the build up to the cake incident. On one occasion, he made her a cup of tea which was unusual in the 26 years of their relationship."

Jane Treharne, defending, said fork-lift truck instructor Bennet was emotionally insecure because his marriage was in turmoil.

"He is clearly emotionally insecure and placed great value in his family and marriage." Father-of-two Bennet admitted attempting to administer a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy.

Judge John Griffith Williams QC ruled that Bennet did not pose a public threat because he is now separated from his wife.

He told him: "I am satisfied you are a manipulative individual and that this response was through self-pity.

"It was fortunate your wife was alert to your intentions so she was on her guard."

Bennet was given a two year community rehabilitation order.

Bespectacled Bennet refused to comment after leaving court.

He now has no contact with his children, a daughter of 23 and a son of 21. He is living with his mother in Dinas Powys.

Mrs Bennet was not in court for the 30-minute hearing.