THE WIFE of Wycombe Swan architect Paul Markcrow killed their Down's syndrome son a court heard on Friday.

Wendolyn Markcrow, 67, of Long Crendon, in Aylesbury, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her 36-year-old son Patrick at the couple's home in March.

Thames Valley Police said Patrick died of plastic bag suffocation while drugged with a sleeping pill called Zoplicone on March 29.

No details of how he was killed were given at the 15-minute hearing in Reading Crown Court.

Markcrow, watched by family members including her surviving sons, Martin and Jonathan, denied murder and admitted man-slaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.

Prosecutor Nicholas Browne QC told the judge that in view of the "overwhelming" psychiatric evidence, the Crown accepted the plea and asked the judge to direct that the murder charge remain on file.

Judge Jonathon Playford QC accepted Markcrow's plea and commissioned a further psychiatric report for sentencing at Oxford Crown Court next month.

Markcrow, was widowed in April after her husband, a former Buckingham-shire County Councillor, died of natural causes. She has been granted bail to live at home or in a hospital.

Long Crendon's village pastor told Midweek yesterday that Markcrow was a "conscientious" long- term carer who seemed to be under a lot of pressure.

Rev Jeff Steadman, of Long Crendon Baptist Church, in Aylesbury, said the village was deeply sympathetic to the family's tragedy, which he believed had been brought about by the sustained pressures on them.

He told Midweek: "Mrs Markcrow did not attend church regularly but people knew the family well because they have seen them growing up in the village over the last 25 years.

"It's a close-knit community and they were such tragic circumstances."

"Patrick had special needs and that was an enormous pressure for her. She supported him for a long time and was very conscientious in her care for him."

Patrick, who suffered from behavioural difficulties and autism, had attended Buckingham-shire County Council day centrein Winslow for people with learning and physical difficulties.

Patrick was then withdrawn from the centre by the family according to the council.