An 85-year-old man accused of murdering his wife at their home in suburban Perth has been remanded in custody, although he is currently being held in hospital.
Harold Barclay was arrested yesterday after police were called to his Alexander Heights home, where they discovered the body of his 83-year-old wife, Nancy.
Neighbours say the couple had been married for more than 60 years. Mrs Barclay had dementia, and her husband, who is believed to have cancer, cared for her.
After being questioned by homicide squad detectives overnight, Mr Barclay was charged with murder this morning.
The case was dealt with in the Joondalup Magistrates Court via a phone link to Royal Perth Hospital, where police said he had been taken for his welfare.
Police said his admission to hospital was "not as a result of the incident or his arrest".
During the brief hearing, Mr Barclay asked Magistrate Michelle Pontifex to raise her voice, saying he wore hearing aids.
Magistrate Pontifex told Mr Barclay she did not have the power to consider bail for him, but he was entitled to make an application before a Supreme Court judge.
She remanded him in custody until he appears in the Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court next week.
