Carer ‘Who Couldn’t Go On’ Sentenced for Killing Her Mother

Carer who couldn t go on jailed – Stefania Glowka, a 64-year-old woman from Wiltshire, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the manslaughter of her 86-year-old mother, Tamara Glowka. The case, which unfolded during the Christmas holiday season, has sparked discussions about the emotional toll of caregiving and the role of mental health in shaping critical decisions.

A Tragic Christmas Morning

The incident occurred on Christmas Day 2025 at a flat in Keepers Road, Devizes, when the pair were sharing a quiet evening in their home. According to the police report, the call came in at 08:10 GMT, describing a serious assault. Stefania had prepared her mother’s favorite meal the previous day, Christmas Eve, before retiring to their shared bedroom. The emotional bond between the two women was evident, with Stefania expressing deep affection for her mother in a letter later read to the court.

“I had a shining light in my life and I extinguished it,” Stefania wrote. “My mother is with me every day. I talk to her and often hear her voice.” She also reflected on the guilt she felt: “I feel very bad that I let her down when she needed me the most.”

The tragedy unfolded when Tamara, 86, woke during the night to use the toilet. Stefania, overwhelmed by her circumstances, strangled her mother with a belt before attempting to take her own life. This act, which she described as a “spur of the moment” decision, left the jury grappling with the question of intent versus desperation.

A Life of Caregiving and Struggle

Stefania, who had grown up in Poland and relocated to the UK in the early 1990s, had been her mother’s primary caregiver since 2004. Tamara, who never learned English, had experienced a decline in mental health, including hallucinations and psychosis, in her later years. Stefania’s own mental health had also deteriorated, marked by a recurrent depressive disorder that she had battled for years.

In a police interview, Stefania described her family dynamic: “I’m the only child of a single mother,” she said. “All my life it was just the two of us. We don’t have any family. We are like two old dinosaurs at the end of the line.” This isolation, combined with the physical and emotional demands of caregiving, reportedly contributed to her sense of despair.

Her thoughts of suicide had been present since 2008, but it was on Christmas Day 2025 that she felt she could no longer endure the burden. The prosecution argued that the act was a deliberate choice, carefully planned and executed. However, the defense emphasized the complexity of her mental state, suggesting that her actions were driven by a “fog of despair” rather than premeditation.

Legal Arguments and Expert Testimony

During the trial, defense lawyer Nicholas Corsellis highlighted Stefania’s emotional struggle, stating that her decision to kill her mother was a result of her inability to cope with the pressures of care. “She made rational decisions in the morning, but this contrasts with the middle of the night when that function was terribly and substantially impaired,” he said. Corsellis also noted her deep devotion to her mother, describing it as a “lifetime of sacrifices” that ultimately “broke her habits of a lifetime.”

In contrast, the prosecution, led by Simon Jones, presented a case that framed the incident as a calculated act. “This was a deliberate act,” Jones claimed, “with no room for doubt about her intent.” However, the court heard testimony from forensic psychiatrists who challenged this perspective. Dr Lucy Bacon, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, stated that Stefania’s actions were “strongly coloured by her depressive illness,” yet she retained the ability to make rational judgments.

Bacon and her colleague, Dr Richard Latham, agreed that Stefania’s depression did not entirely erase her capacity for understanding her actions or exercising control. “She was capable of forming a rational judgment,” Bacon testified, even as she acknowledged the profound impact of her condition on her decision-making process.

The Emotional Weight of the Case

Stefania’s letter to the court revealed the depth of her emotional turmoil, emphasizing her belief that she had failed her mother in a moment of crisis. “I made myself a pariah outside civilised society,” she wrote, “and I feel I do not have the right to return to it.” This sentiment resonated with the judge, who described the case as “utterly extraordinary and deeply sad.”

Judge Julian Lambert, addressing Stefania during sentencing, praised her as a “dutiful considerate daughter” who had devoted her life to caring for her mother. “Your mother had no one else in the world but you,” he noted. “You were devoted to one another and loved your mother as much as she loved you.” Lambert also acknowledged the role of depression in distorting her care for her mother, describing it as “very difficult” to determine the exact nature of her responsibility.

Following the incident, Stefania called emergency services hours later, admitting she had “committed a crime and needed to be held responsible.” This moment of clarity after the act underscored the internal conflict she had faced, with her mental health playing a pivotal role in the sequence of events.

A Community Response and Reflection

DS Chris Hughes of Wiltshire Police expressed gratitude to the emergency workers who responded to the “very sad incident” on Christmas Day. “It can’t have been easy on a day which revolves around family,” Hughes said, “but they dealt with this incident with the usual professionalism, care and diligence.” The police also noted the importance of the community’s support during the trial, highlighting how the case reflected broader challenges faced by caregivers.

The case has drawn attention to the often-overlooked stress of long-term caregiving, particularly for elderly individuals with severe mental health conditions. Stefania’s decision to kill her mother, while tragic, was framed by the court as a manifestation of her diminished responsibility due to depression. Her sentence of eight years was seen as a balance between accountability and compassion, recognizing the emotional and psychological strain she endured.

As the case concludes, it leaves a lingering question about the intersection of duty and despair. Stefania’s story, marked by devotion and sacrifice, now stands as a testament to the complexities of mental health and its influence on the most personal of decisions. The courtroom, filled with both sympathy and scrutiny, has become a space where the weight of caregiving was laid bare, and the line between love and loss was tragically blurred.