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Care home boss's 'drug addiction' Care home woman 'given overdose'
(about 3 hours later)
A care home manager accused of murdering two residents was addicted to prescription drugs, a court has heard. A 97-year-old resident at a care home in Somerset was probably killed by an overdose of non-prescribed drugs, Bristol Crown Court has been told.
Rachel Baker, 44, who ran Parkfields in Butleigh, near Glastonbury in Somerset, denies murdering Mary 'Francis' Hay, 85, and Lucy Cox, 97, in November 2006. Rachel Baker, 44, who ran Parkfields in Butleigh, denies murdering Lucy Cox and Mary Hay, 85, in November 2006.
Bristol Crown Court heard tests on hair proved conclusively that Mrs Baker had used at least eight prescription drugs. The court was told tests on Mrs Cox showed she had been given an "excessive dose" of a painkiller before her death.
She admits eight charges of possessing controlled drugs and one of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Mrs Baker admits possessing controlled drugs and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Forensic toxicologist Julie Evans, who has 27 years' experience in her field, told the court of tests she performed on hair and tissue samples from Mrs Cox.
She concluded she had been given an excessive dose of a powerful painkiller called tramadol probably in the 24 hours before she died.
Mrs Cox had not been prescribed tramadol and Ms Evans told the court this probably caused her death.
Drugs 'stolen'Drugs 'stolen'
Forensic toxicologist Julie Evans, who has 27 years' experience in her field, told the court three hair strands were taken from Mrs Baker between January and May 2007. Analysis of three strands of hair taken from Mrs Baker between January and May 2007 revealed she was abusing at least eight powerful prescription drugs including pethadine, tramadol and fentanyl,
She said analysis of the hair proved Mrs Baker was abusing at least eight powerful prescription drugs among them pethadine, tramadol and fentanyl, Mrs Baker was addicted to prescription drugs at the time, the court was told.
The prosecution claims Mrs Baker was stealing the drugs from her residents in order to feed her own addiction.The prosecution claims Mrs Baker was stealing the drugs from her residents in order to feed her own addiction.
The court was told during the latter stages of 2006 and early 2007 Mrs Baker's drug addiction was "spiralling out of control" and so was the care at the home. During the latter stages of 2006 and early 2007 Mrs Baker's drug addiction was "spiralling out of control" and so was the care at the home.
It was during that time the prosecution alleges she murdered two residents. It was during that time the prosecution alleges she murdered two residents at the care home in the small village near Glastonbury.
The case continues.The case continues.