Carer ‘who couldn’t go on’ jailed for killing her mother
Carer 'Who Couldn't Go On' Jailed for Killing Her Mother
Verdict and Incident Details
Carer who couldn t go on jailed - A 64-year-old woman received an eight-year prison sentence for murdering her 86-year-old mother following a decision to end her caregiving duties. Stefania Glowka, who had cared for her mother for over two decades, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on diminished responsibility grounds. The crime occurred on Christmas Day 2025 at their home in Devizes, Wiltshire, where Glowka strangled her mother after she arose to use the bathroom during the night.
Glowka had prepared her mother’s preferred dish on Christmas Eve prior to retiring for the night. When Tamara Glowka got up to use the toilet, her daughter acted in a moment of crisis, suffocating her with a belt before attempting self-harm. Judge Julian Lambert, who sentenced her at Bristol Crown Court, emphasized the emotional weight of the case. “This is an exceptionally tragic and remarkable case,” he stated. He described Glowka as a “dutiful and thoughtful daughter,” highlighting the deep bond between the pair. “Your mother had no one else in the world but you,” the judge added. “You were devoted to one another, and your mother loved you as much as you loved her.”
Stefania's Letter to the Court
Before the sentencing, a letter from Stefania was presented to the court. In it, she reflected on her actions, writing: “I had a shining light in my life and I extinguished it.” She described her mother’s constant presence in her thoughts, saying: “My mother is with me every day. I talk to her and often hear her voice.” Glowka also expressed feelings of isolation, stating: “I made myself a pariah outside civilised society and feel I do not have the right to return to it.” She added: “I feel very bad that I let her down when she needed me the most.”
Mental Health and Family Background
The court learned that Glowka, who had moved to the UK from Poland in the early 1990s, had a long-standing battle with recurrent depressive disorder. From 2004, she was her mother’s primary caregiver, a role she embraced despite the challenges. Tamara, who never learned English, faced hallucinations and psychosis in her final years. In a police interview, Glowka recounted: “I’m the only child of a single mother. All my life, it was just the two of us. We don’t have any family. We are like two old dinosaurs at the end of the line.”
Legal Arguments
Simon Jones, the prosecutor, argued that the act was deliberate, noting Glowka had planned the incident carefully. In contrast, Nicholas Corsellis, the defense lawyer, claimed her judgment was impaired by “the fog of despair.” He highlighted her unwavering devotion to her mother, yet acknowledged her struggle to cope. “She made rational decisions in the morning, but this contrasts with the middle of the night when that function was terribly and substantially impaired,” Corsellis said.
Psychiatrists' Testimonies
Dr. Lucy Bacon, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, testified that Glowka’s actions were heavily influenced by her depressive illness but did not fully negate her capacity for rational thought. She agreed with Dr. Richard Latham that the condition did not entirely prevent her from understanding her actions. During cross-examination, Glowka confirmed she had control and awareness, admitting: “I was thinking clearly at the time and understood what I was doing.”
Police Response
DS Chris Hughes from Wiltshire Police praised the emergency services for their handling of the incident. “It can’t have been easy on a day which revolves around family, but they dealt with this incident with the usual professionalism, care and diligence,” he remarked. The case has sparked discussions about the challenges of long-term caregiving and the impact of mental health on decision-making.