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'Minister kills sick wife'

The wife of a retired Kirk minister was found dead at home yesterday with her husband lying bleeding beside her.

The Rev Richard Coley, 70, is understood to have given wife Isabella an overdose of pills before stabbing her. He then tried to cut his wrists.

Mr Coley left a suicide note saying he could no longer look after his wife, who had dementia, and couldn't face putting her in a home.

The couple's daughter, also called Isabella, is understood to have discovered the tragedy when she visited their semi-detached home in Mount Vernon, Glasgow, yesterday morning.

Mr Coley was taken to hospital for treatment before being questioned by police.

He was minister at Victoria Tollcross Church in Glasgow for 33 years before retiring in 2004.

Police confirmed that a 70-year-old man had been arrested in connection with the death of Mrs Coley and was expected to appear in private at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

A post mortem was expected to be carried out on Mrs Coley.

Isabella, 70, is said to have been in poor health in recent years and had gone through a heart operation in 2001.

Friends said her health had continued to deteriorate and she developed dementia.

Last night, a policeman stood guard outside the Coleys' two-storey house in Hamilton Road.

A woman arrived at the house with police family liaison officers and emerged a few minutes later carrying a fluffy grey cat.

One churchgoer said last night: "He was a marvellous minister and they were a great couple.

"He originally worked in the shipyards and she supported him as he retrained for the ministry.

"He built up a great rapport with the congregation. Mrs Coley was Brown Owl with the Brownies and they were great for the church.

"She had a major bypass operation and tried hard to recover but her health generally took a turn for the worse.

"It was known that she began to suffer from dementia and it was taking its toll on her.

"She had deteriorated quite badly over the last few months."

Tennant McLellan, 68, temporary session clerk at Victoria Tollcross, said last night: "This is a terrible shock for everyone here.

"The congregation have a tremendous respect for Rev Coley - he was a caring, considerate and compassionate minister."

Full story at the Daily Record.