Last two arrested in Copthorne care home death investigation stood down from bail (From Redhill And Reigate Life)
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Last two arrested in Copthorne care home death investigation stood down from bail
4:42pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News
Two people arrested on suspicion of the manslaughter by gross negligence of a woman at a Copthorne care home have been stood down from bail.
The 45-year-old woman from Tunbridge Wells and 28-year-old man, currently of Her Majesty's Prison Dartmoor, were stood down from bail without charge due to insufficient evidence to justify prosecution, following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.
Their arrests related to the death of Jean Halfpenny in May 2010.
Ms Halfpenny was a resident at Orchid View care home in Copthorne, which has since closed and reopened under a new name and new management.
In September and October 2011 police arrested three other people on suspicion of ill-treatment and neglect contrary to the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, in relation to an investigation into alleged neglect at the care home. A 41-year-old woman from Crawley, a 55-year-old woman from South Godstone and a 49-year-old man from Burgess Hill were all later stood down from bail due to insufficient evidence to justify prosecution.
A Sussex Police investigation was launched in 2011 examining alleged neglect at the care home.
Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Riley of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "Following a thorough investigation into allegations made to police regarding alleged neglect at the care home, the final two people arrested in connection with these allegations have been stood down from bail.” Det Chief Insp Riley said: “This decision is the result of consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service that insufficient evidence is available to support a prosecution.
"The police aspect of the investigation will now be closed and the matter referred to Her Majesty's Coroner for West Sussex."
The investigation was carried out in conjunction with the NHS, West Sussex County Council's Adults' Services, the Care Quality Commission and HM Coroner for West Sussex. A Sussex Police spokesman said: “The next of kin of all former patients who were subject of the investigation were visited by Sussex Police and kept informed throughout the investigation.”
