Carer who killed patient declines witness box

A care assistant who killed a frail dementia patient by setting fire to her bed in a Cheshire care home has declined to offer any evidence in court.

Christopher Bowyer, 25, left 79-year-old Mary Bennett to die in August last year at the Clayton Manor Care Home in Congleton.

Bowyer – who had tried to set fire to the curtains in another pensioner’s room moments before starting the blaze – has admitted manslaughter at Chester Crown Court. But he denies murder on the grounds of not intending to kill Mrs Bennett – who was so poorly with Alzheimer’s she was immobile and could not communicate. He also denies arson with intent to endanger life.

Before a jury of seven men and five women, Bowyer’s barrister Andrew Robertson QC said the killer would not go in the witness box. Nor would the defence be calling any witnesses, he added.

The judge, Mrs Justice Dobbs, asked if Bowyer realised the jury could draw inferences from his decision not to defend himself.

“That has been explained to him,” Mr Robertson said.

Bowyer, of Antrobus Street, Congleton, left Mrs Bennett to die in her room at the two-storey home while he helped evacuate other residents.

He denied any knowledge of the crime until he was arrested weeks later by Cheshire Police.

In interview, he admitted starting the blaze and standing over Mrs Bennett’s bed before fleeing the room. He intended to kill himself, he said, but did not want to die alone.

The victim was rushed to Macclesfield General Hospital but died from extensive burns a week later at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester.