Pair jailed for manslaughter of 71-year-old mother
Dorothy Morgan weighed just four and a half stone when she died
Last updated 25th Mar 2024
Two men from Whitehaven have been jailed for the manslaughter of Dorothy Morgan in Cumbria.
The 71-ytear-old was admitted to hospital in January 2021, malnourished and weighing only four and a half stone.
She died a short time later.
The pair denied the manslaughter of Morgan, Robert's wife and David's mother.
They both lived with Dorothy in Whitehaven, and the prosecution argued that the pair failed to take care of her and left her to die.
The pair argued that they were just doing as Dorothy wished and that no medical help be sought.
But a jury at Carlisle Crown Court decided that the pair were guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence.
They'll now serve a minimum of three years & two years and eight months respectively
Detective Superintendent Matt Scott, who led the investigation into Dorothy’s’ death, said:
“Robert and David had a clear duty of care towards Dorothy, and it was clear from her condition and the state of their home that the level of care afforded to Dorothy was woefully short of the most basic standards expected.
“She was wholly dependent on those family members closest to her for food, water and the most basic of care. Dorothy had limited mobility and was not able to move from the sofa. She was left with a bucket next to the sofa as a toilet, which Dorothy was unable to use in the days leading up to her admission to hospital.
“In interview they both said there were no excuses for the condition in which Dorothy was left, and that what little care they did provide was not enough.
“Despite claims of wanting to respect Dorothy’s wishes of not getting medical help they ignored the severity of her condition which ultimately led to her death.
‘’I welcome the verdict and today’s sentences and want to be clear, if you have taken on a duty to protect and care for a person who is elderly, vulnerable and in need of support, then ensure you fulfil the duty you have accepted.
“The elderly in our community deserve respect and support. Abuse and gross neglect such as this case shows, will not go unchecked.’’