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28/01/2009
Care Home Boss Accused Of Pensioner Murders
A care home boss has been charged with the murders of three elderly residents.
Rachel Baker, 44, ran the Parkfields Residential Care Home in Butleigh, Somerset, jointly with her husband, Leigh, 50.
She is accused of the murder of Francis Hay, Marion Alder and Lucy Cox at the home.
The 44-year-old, who is also a registered nurse, also faces 11 counts of possession of a controlled drug.
Mrs Baker and her chef husband Leigh are both accused of acts tending and intending to perverting the course of justice.
They will appear before South Somerset Magistrates' Court, Yeovil later.
Det Supt Trevor Simpson, said it was a complex case and thanked the families of the victims for their patience.
He said: "This has been a complex, thorough and necessarily lengthy investigation to bring us to this point.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved and those affected, the communities in Somerset and especially the families of the bereaved for their understanding, tolerance and patience."
The couple who live in Glastonbury with their five-year-old daughter, were first questioned in relation to the deaths of four women and a man in 2007. They were then questioned over seven other deaths in September last year.
(JM/BMcC)
Rachel Baker, 44, ran the Parkfields Residential Care Home in Butleigh, Somerset, jointly with her husband, Leigh, 50.
She is accused of the murder of Francis Hay, Marion Alder and Lucy Cox at the home.
The 44-year-old, who is also a registered nurse, also faces 11 counts of possession of a controlled drug.
Mrs Baker and her chef husband Leigh are both accused of acts tending and intending to perverting the course of justice.
They will appear before South Somerset Magistrates' Court, Yeovil later.
Det Supt Trevor Simpson, said it was a complex case and thanked the families of the victims for their patience.
He said: "This has been a complex, thorough and necessarily lengthy investigation to bring us to this point.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved and those affected, the communities in Somerset and especially the families of the bereaved for their understanding, tolerance and patience."
The couple who live in Glastonbury with their five-year-old daughter, were first questioned in relation to the deaths of four women and a man in 2007. They were then questioned over seven other deaths in September last year.
(JM/BMcC)
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