Arrest in Copthorne care home investigation (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Arrest in Copthorne care home investigation

2:14pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence in relation to a death at a care home in Copthorne.

The 28-year-old man was arrested at HMP Dartmoor on Tuesday, September 11, by detectives investigating neglect at Orchid View care home.

A Sussex Police spokesman said the man resides at the prison on unrelated matters, and was being interviewed by Sussex officers in the Devon and Cornwall Force area.

A Sussex Police investigation was launched last year examining neglect at the care home. Orchid View has since closed and reopened under a new name and under new management.

The police spokesman said the arrest had been made as a result of the investigation, and relates to the death of 77-year-old Joan Halfpenny.

Mrs Halfpenny died in May 2010, while she was a resident at the care home.

Last September and October, police arrested three people in relation to the investigation on suspicion of ill-treatment and neglect contrary to the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

The spokesman said a 41-year-old woman from Crawley and a 55-year-old woman from South Godstone have been bailed until November 10, pending further enquiries. A 49-year-old man from Burgess Hill has also been bailed until November 1, pending further enquiries.

The spokesman said: “The wider investigation, which is being carried out in conjunction with the NHS, West Sussex County Council's Adults' Services and HM Coroner for West Sussex, continues to be a long and complex investigation, and we are unable to go into further details at this time.

“The next of kin of all former patients who are the subject of this investigation have been visited by Sussex Police.”