Yvonne Freaney has admitted her son Glen’s manslaughter but denies murdering him A 49-year-old woman has admitted killing her autistic son at a hotel near Cardiff Airport.
Yvonne Freaney, 49, of Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her son Glen, 11, Cardiff Crown Court was told.
The jury heard she used a belt to strangle him at the Sky Plaza Hotel in Rhoose, Vale of Glamorgan last May before trying to take her own life.
She is charged with his murder, which she denies. The case continues.
Ms Freaney, who was going through marital problems, was found in the hotel room with multiple knife wounds but was still alive.
She had moved out of the family home and had been living in hotels for about a month before Glen’s death.
The court heard Glen, who needed one-to-one care, could walk, run and ride a bike, and communicated through a computer.
Prosecutor Greg Taylor QC said: “Glen was a young boy who suffered from severe autism – he was diagnosed when he was aged four.
“He was generally fit and well and had a normal life expectancy but he was totally dependent on adult care.
“He needed help, dressing, washing, brushing his teeth and feeding.
“He was not toilet trained even by the age of 11 and still wore nappies.”
Ms Freaney, who has three other children with her husband, had left a number of letters intending them to be read after she had committed suicide, the court heard.
She wrote to her 14-year-old son: “You may not understand what has happened but just think of it as I am finally getting rest.
“I wish you good luck and I am sure you will have a brilliant future and I would be very proud of you.”
The jury was told how Ms Freaney’s marriage was “filled with problems.”
Mr Taylor said: “When they lived together they had problems which revolved around employment, alcohol consumption on her part as well as his, and violence from both parties.”
Police were called several times to the family home after alleged incidents of domestic violence.
Ms Freaney was seen by doctors several times for injuries but never pressed charges against her husband, the court heard.
Social services became involved with the family after a police officer described their home as “uninhabitable.”
Mr Taylor said: “There was rubbish strewn from floor to ceiling and you couldn’t get in the kitchen for rubbish. Police said it was most cluttered house they had ever seen.”
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