DR HAROLD Shipman broke down in court yesterday (Wednesday) as he told of the death of one of the 15 patients he is accused of murdering.

Shipman buried his head in his hands in the witness box while giving evidence during his trial at Preston Crown Court.

He said he was more upset than the relatives after Mrs Kathleen Wagstaff, 81, died while he was visiting her home after complaining of chest pains on December 9, 1997.

When asked by his counsel Miss Nicola Davies QC as to why he had written a neighbour was present on the document he completed after her death, he said: "I was quite upset, I don't think I was quite clear in my mind when I completed this document."

He added: "Under normal circumstances I don't feel I would have entered the neighbour on it at all. If you'd asked me about these facts on the Monday or Tuesday after she died I don't think I would have given you a sensible answer to the question.

"This was probably one of the few times I was possibly more upset than the relatives."

Shipman, 53, standing in the witness box on the 30th day of his trial, apologised to the jury and sat down burying his head in his hands.

He said he examined Mrs Wagstaff and made a 'presumptive diagnosis of coronary thrombosis' and told her she needed to be in hospital to make sure of the diagnosis.

Shipman told the court that he looked for a telephone to call an ambulance and saw Mrs Wagstaff sitting upright in the chair with her mouth open.

He said: "I moved to her and shouted 'are you OK?'. I gently shook her and again she was floppy, I checked the carotid artery and took it as an 81-year-old who had had a coronary in front of me."

The case continues.

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