12/12/2007

Extra Time To Quiz Couple On Care Home Deaths

Police have been granted extra time to continue questioning a couple in connection with the deaths of five elderly people at a care home in Somerset.

Rachel Baker, a registered nurse, and her chef husband Leigh, 48, are being held on suspicion of the murder of four women and a man at the Parkfields Residential Home in Butleigh.

The pair were initially questioned over the death of 97-year-old Lucy Cox on New Year's Day and police ordered the exhumation of other former residents of the care home during the investigation.

The couple were arrested when they answered bail on Monday. They are also being held on suspicion of theft, unlawful possession of controlled prescribed drugs and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Both are being held in custody at Yeovil police station.

Parkfields was closed in March and Somerset County Council moved the remaining residents in the home.

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

30 May 2006
Guidance for care homes launched
A new guide has been published for care home managers, in order to help improve treatment and support for residents at the end of life.
18 October 2006
Home care services 'need re-think', report claims
Councils need to change how they organise home care services in order to respond more sensitively to people's needs, a report has claimed.
18 May 2005
Improvement needed in care homes information, study claims
Older people should have access to a ‘one-stop-shop’ providing information on care home provision, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has recommended. The OFT also said that care home residents should have better access to complaints procedures and be provided with greater price transparency and fairer contract terms.
01 April 2009
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
31 July 2008
Murder Inquiry 'Unlikely' In Jersey Home Probe
Jersey police have now confirmed the discovery of the partial remains of at least five youngsters at Haut de la Garenne, the former care home at the centre of an Historic Abuse Enquiry. The remains are thought to belong to children aged between four and 11.