Lincolnshire care home manager is cleared of neglect

A Lincolnshire care home manager has walked free from court after being cleared of neglecting three elderly residents. Elaine Noble, 57, had denied neglecting three residents while running St Michael’s Care Home in Waddington, near Lincoln.

During a month long trial at Lincoln Crown Court the jury heard how St Michael’s was raided by a team of police officers and social workers in August 2007 after they were allegedly “tipped off” by disgruntled staff.

It was claimed some elderly residents were left for hours in their own urine because not enough staff were employed to change them, while other residents suffered bed sores.

But the jury of five men and seven women cleared Miss Noble of neglecting 85-year-old Roy Kendal and 96-year-old Irene Walker after deliberating for more than 10 hours.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on a third charge of neglect relating to 82-year-old Hilda Shepherd.

Judge Robert Alan Brown directed a not guilty verdict after the prosecution decided it would not be in the “public interest” to pursue a re-trial against Miss Noble on that charge.

After being discharged from the dock Miss Noble, who became manager of the home after starting as a book-keeper in 1993, whispered “thank you” to members of the jury.

During the trial it was alleged Mr Kendal, who had mobility problems and difficulty communicating as a result of a stroke, was regularly left in urine soaked sheets and clothing throughout the night.

But giving evidence during the trial, Miss Noble, a mother-of-two, told the jury how she was prevented from employing an extra senior carer on nights because the owner of the home, Paul Lynch, would not pay for the woman she wanted.

Miss Noble, who did voluntary work for the cubs and St Barnabas Hospice, also explained how she contacted social services over her concern that Irene Walker needed full time nursing care.

The jury were told Miss Noble also spoke regularly with social services about Mrs Shepherd’s deteriorating health.

In a letter which was read to the jury Mrs Shepherd’s son Robert, thanked Miss Noble for “all her hard work” in looking after his mother. It added:

“I know my mother always liked you.”

The jury also heard from retired senior staff nurse Linda Cotterill, whose mother is still a resident in St Michael’s. Mrs Cotterill said she found Miss Noble to be a “very caring and kind person”, and described how her mother’s room was always “spotless”.