A woman from the Fylde coast has today pleaded guilty to wilful neglect under the Mental Health Act following the death of a 57 year old man.
Kathleen Vitturini, 62 of West Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, was originally charged with manslaughter by way of gross negligence after Peter Giles died in October 2004.
Mr Giles suffered from both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's and was cared fo
r by a close family who were assisted by Social Services.
In 2003 Social Services, with the consent of his family, placed Mr Giles into the care of Vitturini, at the Abbeycroft care home in Bispham.
By September 2004 Mr Giles' condition was deteriorating very quickly and it is the speed and extent of that deterioration that has been at the centre of the police investigation into his death.
Immediately following his death HM Coroner in Blackpool referred the case to the police for investigation.
Expert opinion was obtained and a case was prepared and presented to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised that Vitturini, who was at the time Mrs Bennett, was charged with manslaughter by gross negligence.
Today's plea comes in the light of further medical evidence which has resulted in the original charge being withdrawn.
Detective Inspector Des Coop, who led the investigation, said: "The police investigation has been lengthy and detailed and every effort to achieve justice has been made. Our thoughts are with Mr Giles' family and we will continue to support them in the future in any appropriate way. We hope that today's proceedings will enable them to take some comfort in dealing with the tragic loss of a much loved family member."
Vitturini will be sentenced on Tuesday 20 May at Preston Crown Court.
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