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'End it now' heard at care home 'End it now' heard at care home
(10 minutes later)
A murder trial has heard claims the manager of a care home in Somerset asked "shall we end it now?" to one of her residents. The manager of a care home in Somerset accused of murdering two elderly residents asked one of them "shall we end it now?", a jury has been told.
Rachel Baker, 44, is alleged to have asked the question of 85-year-old Francis Hay, who died two days later. Rachel Baker, 44, is alleged to have put the question to 85-year-old Francis Hay, who died two days later.
Mrs Baker denies murdering Mrs Hay and Lucy Cox, 97, at Parkfields care home, in Butleigh. Bristol Crown Court was told Mrs Baker, who denies murdering Mrs Hay and Lucy Cox, 97, at a care home in Butleigh, was hooked on diamorphine at the time.
She has pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice and eight charges of possessing controlled drugs. Mrs Baker admits trying to pervert the course of justice and drugs charges.
Prosecutor David Fisher told the court that two days before her death, on 20 November 2006, Mrs Hay - whose real first name was Mary - was being looked after by care assistant Kathy Slade in her room. Prosecutor David Fisher told the court that two days before her death, on 20 November 2006, Mrs Hay - whose real first name was Mary - was being looked after by care assistant Kathy Slade in her room at Parkfields care home.
Mr Fisher said: "Francis Hay was in a wheelchair, watching TV and laughing at the TV."Mr Fisher said: "Francis Hay was in a wheelchair, watching TV and laughing at the TV."
The court heard that Miss Slade and another carer dressed Mrs Hay and left her to watch television.
'Drastic change''Drastic change'
The court heard that Miss Slade and another carer dressed Mrs Hay and left her to watch television.
Mr Fisher went on: "Kathy Slade was in the corridor close to Francis Hay's room. She noticed the door to room 14 was shut, which in itself was unusual as it was always kept ajar.Mr Fisher went on: "Kathy Slade was in the corridor close to Francis Hay's room. She noticed the door to room 14 was shut, which in itself was unusual as it was always kept ajar.
"She heard a voice coming from within the room. She stepped up about three feet away from the door."She heard a voice coming from within the room. She stepped up about three feet away from the door.
"She then heard Rachel Baker say: 'Francis, shall we end it all now?'. To which Francis Hay replied 'oh no, darling. I'm all right, darling'."She then heard Rachel Baker say: 'Francis, shall we end it all now?'. To which Francis Hay replied 'oh no, darling. I'm all right, darling'.
She, for a variety of bizarre and perverted reasons, may have had a desire to control the terminal destiny of some of her residents Prosecutor David Fisher
"In disbelief, Kathy Slade ran from the corridor and attempted to block it from her mind. However, when she returned to her room, she observed a drastic change in Francis Hay's condition.""In disbelief, Kathy Slade ran from the corridor and attempted to block it from her mind. However, when she returned to her room, she observed a drastic change in Francis Hay's condition."
Mr Fisher told the jury Mrs Hay showed all the symptoms of being given a large dose of an opiate-based painkiller by injection. Mr Fisher told the jury Mrs Hay showed all the symptoms of having been given a large dose of an opiate-based painkiller by injection.
Mrs Baker, from Glastonbury in Somerset, has pleaded guilty to eight charges of possessing controlled drugs.
The jury has been told she admitted becoming hooked on drugs including diamorphine, pethidine and Diazepam in 2005 after suffering migraines.
She accepts she diverted drugs from residents for her own use.
Mr Fisher told the jury there was no need to prove a motive.
He added: "Rachel Baker was, by her own admission, regularly taking prescribed drugs which must have had a substantial effect on her character and conduct.
"She, for a variety of bizarre and perverted reasons, may have had a desire to control the terminal destiny of some of her residents."
The trial continues.The trial continues.