A remorseful woman killed herself after being hunted by the thought of the perception that people will have of her when found guilty of abusing her father-in-law.
Sarah Jane Hankins
47-year-old Sarah Jane Hankins of Wiltshire, died by hanging herself because she couldn't handle the stress of a criminal trial and possible jail sentence.
Hankins’ husband, 54-year-old Gary Hankins, said that his wife denied assaulting his father, 81-year-old Geoffrey Hankins. Sarah, a mother of two children, was found dead in the bedroom of her home.
Sarah was worried about what people would think of her if she is found guilty of assault, according to her notes that were found in her home.The day before her death, Sarah prepared food at the Grateley House School, and played games with students.
Geoffrey Hankins said that he did not press charges against his daughter-in-law and wondered why court refused to drop charges against her. Mrs Hankins's husband Gary, 54, has slammed the Crown Prosecution Service, describing it as 'a shambles', while her legal team has also criticised the decision to drag her into court and claimed evidence submitted in her defence was ignored.
'It got postponed and she just couldn't deal with it,' said Mr Hankins. 'I found notes from her in her diary that said if she was found guilty what would people think of her.
'It should never have gone to court, she should never have been prosecuted.
'She had seen lots of things at work but she was just a beautiful person. I think the CPS are a shambles, they did not do their job properly.
'When she was charged it was like they didn't even know what they were talking about.'
He described Mrs Hankins, who worked at Grateley House School near Andover, which helps children with autism and Asperger's, as a 'loving, caring person'.
'I will miss her forever,' he said. 'It is just a tragedy.'