Triple Murder Charge for Care Home Owners

Extract from Yahoo today.

 A care home manager has been charged with the murder of three of her elderly residents.

Rachel Baker, 44, operated Parkfields Residential Care Home in Butleigh, Somerset, along with her husband Leigh, 50, a chef.

Mrs Baker is charged with the murders of Marion Alder, 79, Lucy Cox, 97, and Francis Hay, also a pensioner, after their deaths at the home near Glastonbury between 2006 and 2007.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced that Avon and Somerset Police were charging her with the murders as well as 11 counts of possession of a controlled drug.

 She and her husband are also both charged with carrying out acts tending and intending to pervert the course of public justice.

 They are due to appear at South Somerset Magistrates’ Court, Yeovil, later.

 Reviewing lawyer Brian Pixton, from the CPS Complex Casework Unit, said: “We have been working closely with the police and medical experts over the past 18 months to investigate all aspects of the care of the individuals concerned before reaching a final decision on charging.

 The couple, who managed the home for nine years, live in Glastonbury with their five-year-old daughter.

 AEA’s response

Said chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, Gary FitzGerald, “My heart goes out to the three families of the victims. This is a totally despicable case. Those entrusted to care for the victims have been charged with the murder of three pensioners. From their actions with little or no remorse. All too often vulnerable older people are placed in the care of individuals who don’t have the skills or intentions to do the job properly. Ultimately residents Marion Alder, 79, Lucy Cox, 97, and Francis Hay paid with their lives.

It took the horrendous case of Baby P to bring greater investment and revised laws to bridge the shortfalls in child protection and it is now time that Government and Society afford the same and equal response for these three victims and the many other Granny P’s faced with sub standard care, neglect, abuse and death by indifference.

AEA commends CSCI, Police and the CPS in their efforts to gain justice for the victims and their families but I should also highlight that unlike the situation in care homes where there are legal standards and inspectors, there is no similar legal system to provide you with protection if you organise your own care or if the abuse comes from a family friend. These protection systems are under-funded and lack the necessary powers to ensure adequate protection for many people – which is why we see so many horrendous cases constantly coming to light.

If you want to make a difference, and stop the suffering, apathy and deaths. Please support Action on Elder Abuse and sign our petition at www.elderabuse.org.uk which calls for laws to protect older people. There are too many people out there who fought a World War to give us the freedoms that we now enjoy. They deserve to enjoy their old age, be treated with upmost dignity and respect at all times. Most of us will be old someday so doing nothing is not acceptable!

Notes to Editors:

No Secrets Consultation document can be downloaded from the DH website on the day of the launch: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland there is no legislation to require protection when an older person (or other adult) is subjected to abuse. Statutory Agencies operate under guidance issued under the Local Authority Act 1970. It is called No Secrets, and as guidance they can choose to ignore it. As a consequence some atrocious abuse has occurred.
Most elder abuse happens in people’s own homes, perpetrated by family, friends and neighbours. According to the AEA helpline this accounts for 67% of elder abuse;
The Government has been repeatedly advised by AEA, by Adult Protection staff, and by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services that the situation warrants primary legislation. The current systems vary by local authority area, vary in definitions of who can be supported, and how much funding is available etc. It is failing to protect our most vulnerable elderly people;
In Scotland the Parliament has enacted legislation called the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007, which introduced a statutory framework for adult protection work.
Action on Elder Abuse depends on charitable donations to work towards its objectives of protecting older people and putting a stop to all kinds of abuse e.g. physical, psychological, financial, sexual and neglect. Please donate by calling 0208 765 7000 or visiting www.elderabuse.org.uk or simply by sending an e-mail to: getinvolved@elderabuse.org.uk
AEA Free phone helpline operates Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm – tel: 0808 808 8141
ACTION ON ELDER ABUSE

Contact: Gary Martin

Tel Direct: 0044 (0) 20 8765 7017

Tel Admin: 0044 (0) 20 8765 7000

Fax: 0044 (0) 20 8679 4074

Helpline: 080 8808 8141 UK

Helpline: 1800 940 010 Ireland

e-mail: garymartin@elderabuse.org.uk