Children's Bodies in Attic: Mother Walks Free
South Wales (UK):
A former nurse who admitted concealing the births of three of her children after their stillborn bodies were discovered in the attics of two former homes was today sentenced to a 12 month community rehabilitation order.
Ann Mahoney, 63, was charged in May this year after a baby's body was found in a suitcase in the attic of a former home in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, in March.
The grandmother was charged with two more counts of concealing a birth when the bodies of two more babies were found in the attic of her latest address in Forsythia Close on Merthyr Tydfil's Gurnos estate.
The mother-of-two, a well-known community volunteer, said after her arrest that all three children were stillborn and she used her own nursing skills to carry out deliveries.
In August, Mahoney admitted thre charges of endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child.
The court heard that it was impossible to state whether any of the babies was a live birth and the Crown accepted what Mahoney said in police interview.
Mahoney has been on conditional bail awaiting the completion of reports pending today's hearing.
She has been living in a bail hostel in England since her arrest and has been banned from entering Wales unless to attend court.
The court heard today that Mahoney wishes to resume her life in Merthyr Tydfil.
Mahoney, who appealed to be left in "peace'' by the media while she was in the dock, refused to comment as she left the court building.
She was dressed smartly in a black beaded top as she was sentenced by Judge John Curran.
The judge described the offences as a "sad and extraordinary story", stemming from a "misplaced sense of shame and fear of rejection".
Judge Curran told Mahoney: "During the 1970s and possibly as recently as 1982 you succeeded in concealing the fact you were pregnant.
"You feared rejection by adult members of your family. On each occasion the child was stillborn.
"Because of your nursing skills you were able to carry out the delivery yourself."
The judge said Mahoney was suffering from a depressive illness while committing the offences and said a custodial sentence would be unjust.
Oct 3 2005
Vicky Shaw, ic Wales, United Kingdom
South Wales (UK):
A former nurse who admitted concealing the births of three of her children after their stillborn bodies were discovered in the attics of two former homes was today sentenced to a 12 month community rehabilitation order.
Ann Mahoney, 63, was charged in May this year after a baby's body was found in a suitcase in the attic of a former home in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, in March.
The grandmother was charged with two more counts of concealing a birth when the bodies of two more babies were found in the attic of her latest address in Forsythia Close on Merthyr Tydfil's Gurnos estate.
The mother-of-two, a well-known community volunteer, said after her arrest that all three children were stillborn and she used her own nursing skills to carry out deliveries.
In August, Mahoney admitted thre charges of endeavouring to conceal the birth of a child.
The court heard that it was impossible to state whether any of the babies was a live birth and the Crown accepted what Mahoney said in police interview.
Mahoney has been on conditional bail awaiting the completion of reports pending today's hearing.
She has been living in a bail hostel in England since her arrest and has been banned from entering Wales unless to attend court.
The court heard today that Mahoney wishes to resume her life in Merthyr Tydfil.
Mahoney, who appealed to be left in "peace'' by the media while she was in the dock, refused to comment as she left the court building.
She was dressed smartly in a black beaded top as she was sentenced by Judge John Curran.
The judge described the offences as a "sad and extraordinary story", stemming from a "misplaced sense of shame and fear of rejection".
Judge Curran told Mahoney: "During the 1970s and possibly as recently as 1982 you succeeded in concealing the fact you were pregnant.
"You feared rejection by adult members of your family. On each occasion the child was stillborn.
"Because of your nursing skills you were able to carry out the delivery yourself."
The judge said Mahoney was suffering from a depressive illness while committing the offences and said a custodial sentence would be unjust.
Oct 3 2005
Vicky Shaw, ic Wales, United Kingdom
