A wife has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her husband after the couple made a suicide pact.

Ann Pollen, 47, of Hawthorn Road, Edmonton admitted killing her husband Leonard, 58, in a failed pact when he was accused of historical sexual assault.

Investigating officer detective inspector Euan McKeeve said: "As a result of increased and strained pressures on their relationship, Leonard and Ann Pollen each took a decision to enter into a suicide pact with the settled intention of death.

"It is accepted that they cut each other's and their own wrists.

"In these fairly rare circumstances a homicide investigation is always undertaken to establish the facts.

"I hope that Mr Pollen's wider family can take some satisfaction that Ann Pollen has accepted responsibility for her role in his death."

Mr Pollen was arrested on suspicion of rape on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 but was subsequently released on bail.

Just five days later police and London Ambulance services attended the home address after other family members became concerned for their welfare.

The couple had posted a letter, referring to their last will and testament, to Mr Pollen's brother on Friday, August 31, 2012.

Police knocked down the door to find the couple in their bedroom. Mr Pollen was found dead at the scene.

Mrs Pollen had injuries to her wrists. She said they had tried to kill themselves three days previously. They both took tablets, drank alcohol and then used a knife to cut each other's wrists. They went to sleep, thinking they would not wake up.

When the pair woke up on the Saturday, they began to cut their wrists again, Mrs Pollen woke up to find her husband dead and she began taking painkillers and cutting her wrists.

She had told officers that after the sexual abuse allegation her husband talked about taking his own life. She said she had been with him so long she didn’t want to live without him.

After treatment, Mrs Pollen was charged with the murder and manslaughter of her husband.

A plea of manslaughter was today accepted and no evidence offered in relation to the murder charge.

Mrs Pollen will be sentenced at the Old Bailey tomorrow morning.