Police at The Nabb, St Georges, Telford, after the body of John Corbett was discovered on December 21, 2009

A Shropshire pensioner bludgeoned and stabbed his beloved brother to death before throwing himself into the River Severn, an inquest heard.

Ted Corbett said life had become “intolerable” caring for his increasingly frail and ill older brother John, 77, at the home they had lived in together at The Nabb, St Georges, Telford, for more than 50 years.

An inquest heard 66-year-old Ted hit John repeatedly with a pole and a spade before stabbing him in the neck as he lay in bed.

The retired lorry driver then went round to neighbour Carol Meeson’s house after it happened on December 21 last year and said: “Kiss me goodbye Carol, you will never see me again. I have killed my brother and I intend to kill myself.”

The hearing at Telford Magistrates Court yesterday heard Ted then handed her a bloodstained note – which claimed killing his brother was “what he wanted” – and a set of house keys before driving off in his car.

Detective Inspector Nick Haggitt, who led the investigation, said the car was spotted near the River Severn at Cressage 20 minutes later and witnesses reported seeing a body in the river.

A three-day search failed to find the body. Ted was eventually discovered on February 2 in the river near Buildwas Bridge by a passer-by.

Summing up, Telford & Wrekin coroner Mr John Ellery said: “I am satisfied Frank John Corbett was unlawfully killed and so that is my verdict. I am also satisfied beyond reasonable doubt Edward Corbett killed himself.”

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Inspector Haggitt said it was an “extremely sad” case. “John was having problems and his health was slipping away,” he said.

“Ted had looked after his mother and father and watched them both die and now he was in the same situation with his brother and I think he just didn’t want it any more.

“They seem to have been two affable people who were happy in their own world. There was talk of respite care and John going into a home to give Ted a break but I don’t think they wanted to be apart. In many ways it was an extremely sad case.”

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