A WIFE found guilty of murdering her husband “acted in control and with anger when she poured the lethal mixture” of boiling water and sugar over him, prosecutors have said.

Corinna Smith, aka Corinna Baines, of Highfield Road in Neston had mixed boiling water with three bags of sugar, leaving Michael Baines with 36 per cent burns to his body.

The 80-year-old was taken to Whiston Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2020 in a serious condition.

He received treatment for his injuries but, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died a month later – on Tuesday, August 18.

Crown Advocate Jayne Morris of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: “Corinna Baines killed Michael Baines in a particularly brutal and painful way.

“She confessed to the manslaughter of her husband but the CPS refused to accept that. The CPS case was that her actions were deliberate and considered.

READ>Man who fell from M53 bridge in stable condition

"She was clearly upset about the dispute between herself, her daughter and her husband but the evidence demonstrated that she was in control and acted in anger when she poured the lethal mixture over her husband and wanted to exact vengeance.

“The Crown Prosecution Service said she intended either to kill Michael or to cause him really serious harm and so pursued a prosecution for murder.

“The jury have agreed with us and found her guilty. This is a tragic case that has devastated the family of Mr and Mrs Baines and our thoughts remain with them.”

The day before the attack took place, Smith, aged 59, was described as angry and very upset at a rumour circulating about her husband that she believed to be true.

On the day of the incident she returned home and filled a bucket from her garden with boiling water and mixed it with 3kg of sugar.

As Michael lay asleep in bed she poured the contents over his arms and torso and then left the property.

She went to a nearby house and banged on the front door until the occupant answered.

He contacted police and ambulance after hearing her say "I’ve hurt him really bad, I think I’ve killed him".

Michael was taken to hospital and remained in the burns unit for two weeks in a stable condition before he deteriorated and passed away.

On Tuesday, June 15, a jury found her guilty of murder following a five-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

She will be sentenced on Friday, July 9.