A woman has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the murder of her autistic son. Claire Button, who confessed to killing her five-year-old son Lincoln at their residence in South Ockendon, Essex, on December 15 the previous year, was convicted of the crime by a jury at Basildon Crown Court.
During the trial, testimonies were given by Ms. Button’s husband, her mother, two psychiatrists, and the defendant herself. She claimed that a voice in her head instructed her to end both her own life and her son’s. The jury, after deliberating for eight hours and four minutes, unanimously delivered the guilty verdict, causing Ms. Button to break down in tears.
Today, 35-year-old Button received a minimum sentence of nine years in prison. The prosecution raised doubts about the extent of her mental illness in relation to the criteria for manslaughter, highlighting her struggles with depression dating back to August the previous year.
Lincoln, a non-verbal child with autism, developmental delay, and ADHD, attended Bonnygate Primary School. The court was informed that Ms. Button, described as a devoted mother who cared deeply for her son, faced challenges in managing Lincoln’s conditions.
Following a distressing incident at a local store on the day of the tragedy, Lincoln’s body was discovered at the family home in South Ockendon. Ms. Button recounted hearing a commanding voice for the first time upon their return home, leading her to call emergency services. Despite being informed of a significant delay in assistance, she felt compelled to carry out the tragic act.
Psychiatric evaluations revealed that Ms. Button’s actions were likely influenced by psychosis and depression, rather than premeditation. While one expert believed her mental state did not significantly impair her judgement, another attested to the severity of her condition. The presiding judge expressed the complexity of the case, acknowledging the challenging nature of the proceedings.
Judge Samantha Leigh thanked the jurors for their service in what she described as one of the most difficult cases she had encountered in her three decades of legal practice.
