Accused Murderer Smiled Before Slashing Grandmothers Throat

By Eric King-

A man is in court charged with slicing a grandmother’s throat moments after smiling and laughing with her.

Maria Stanciu told jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court  how Antony Jennings said he had killed his 94-year-old grandmother Ruby Wilson after seeeing them laughing and drinking tea together.Jennings, 33, is accused of murdering great-great grandmother Mrs Wilson with a bread knife at Forest Place Nursing Home in Buckhurst Hill, Essex on November 29 last year.Tearful Ms Stanciu, from Romania broke down in front of a jury as she recounted details of  how he tapped on her shoulder, adding: “He said, ‘I’m sorry Maria I just killed my Nan’. I asked him if he’s joking. He said, ‘Come’.

“He was just looking at me, he was calm. He was looking at my face and he was smiling.”

The court heard how she walked into the elderly woman’s room to find her in a chair with her hands on the arm rests, and blood on her chest and down her neck.  She checked Mrs Wilson for a pulse but found no sign of life.

Ms Stanciu, who had worked at the home for 18 months, said: “I left the room. I asked him if he knew what he had done.” She told jurors Jennings said to her: “She’s in peace, she’s not suffering any more. She’s not in pain any more.”

Ms Stanciu added: “I went running towards the manager’s office. I told her what happened and that she needed to call the police.

“He was just walking in the corridor.” Jennings sat in the dock wearing a blue Adidas tracksuit top, surrounded by one dock officer and three hospital staff.

Jurors heard how, before the attack, Mrs Wilson and her grandson had been in the care home lounge.

Ms Stanciu said: “They were sitting together at the table. My carer offered them a cup of tea.

“They were laughing, talking to each other.”

She added: “Ruby was happy to see him. He seemed happy as well.”