Police have DVD of Shields man's suicide
POLICE and legal officials are due to meet next week to decide what action to take over South Tyneside man Douglas Sinclair's assisted suicide.
A woman was today named as one of two people who helped him die.
Former neighbour Janet Grieves, who acted as Mr Sinclair's carer after his wife died 10 years ago, has been questioned and bailed by police.
The 47-year-old, of Westhope Close, South Shields, was arrested along with a 48-year-old man.
It also emerged today that Mr Sinclair's final moments were filmed on DVD at the Dignitas clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, in July, and that South Tyneside Council was made aware of his wish to take his own life last January. He told care home staff in Jarrow of his intentions.
The DVD is now in the hands of the police.
Northumbria Police officers will meet Crown Prosecution Service officials next week to hand over the case file.
Ms Grieves, who used to live next door to Mr Sinclair in Highfield Grove, South Shields, wished to make no comment on the issue.
Last night, Mr Sinclair's daughter, Helen, said she was devastated by her father's death, but respected his decision to end his life in his own way.
Miss Sinclair, 41, of Cleveland Avenue, Darlington, said: "My father was a popular and caring man who will be greatly missed.
"He was devastated by the loss of my mother, and, since his illness, decided to take his own life with dignity in the manner of his own choosing.
"Although that is disturbing and upsetting to me, I respect his decision."
South Tyneside Council became involved in the case in January after being informed that Mr Sinclair had repeatedly told staff at the Stapleton Care Home in Jarrow that he planned to end his life in Switzerland.
A council spokesman said: "We can confirm that a safeguarding meeting took place on January 20 in response to Mr Sinclair making staff at the home aware of his intention to go to Dignitas.
"Because of the police investigation, we cannot comment further."
Mr Sinclair's solicitor, Christopher Potts, of South Shields-based Patterson, Glenton & Stracey, revealed that the final moments were recorded by clinic staff.
He said Mrs Sinclair had drunk a lethal cocktail of drugs. Mr Potts added: "He seemed very peaceful."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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