Gary Baird: Husband sentenced to seven years for killing wife

A man who admitted killing his wife has been sentenced to seven years, three in custody and four on licence.

Gary Alexander Baird, 65, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility.

Sixty-year-old Susan Baird died as a result of catastrophic head injuries after being attacked by Baird with a hammer at their Windermere Road home on 16 August 2020.

Earlier this week, Belfast Crown Court heard that Baird was “clearly unwell and heard voices in his head”.

Mrs Baird’s four children issued a statement following the sentencing in which they said they “welcome and accept the verdict of manslaughter with diminished responsibility”.

“Through our immense heartbreak, we hope to see improvements and better funding in mental health services across Northern Ireland,” they said.

“All family members wish to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have shown kindness, and we ask for privacy as we continue in our grief.”

At a pre-sentencing hearing the defence barrister told the court that a call log on 26 June 2020 indicated that Baird had made more than 570 calls to his GP seeking help with his mental health but “none of them were answered”.