A WOMAN has appeared in court charged with the murder of an elderly care home resident.

Heather Davidson spoke only to confirm her name and address in a short hearing at Northallerton Magistrates' Court this morning.

She is charged with murdering 81-year-old David Paterson, who was a resident of Sowerby House care home, in Sowerby, Thirsk.

Davidson, 53, wore a grey sweater and jogging bottoms during her brief court appearance.

She was remanded in custody and her next court appearance will be at Teesside Crown Court, at 10am, on February 17.

 

EARLIER:

A WOMAN has been charged with murder after an 81-year-old man was found dead in a Thirsk care home.

North Yorkshire Police were called to Sowerby House care home in Sowerby, Thirsk, at about 3.20pm yesterday after the resident was found in his room.

Heather Davidson, 53, and from Sowerby, was arrested after an initial investigation and forensic assessment led police to believe the injuries were non-accidental.

She has no known connection to the care home. She was held last night and questioned today.

She was known to the dead man and detectives are working to establish the extent of their relationship. The victim has not been named.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, said: “We ask that consideration is given to the residents and the families connected to the care home at this time.

“The home has not been closed, however, there are areas within the home which are still being examined.

“Specially trained police Family Liaison Officers have been deployed to support the deceased’s family.”

Ms Davidson is due to appear at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning at 10am.

The 40-bed care home, managed by Adam Underwood and run by Orchard Care Homes, caters for elderly residents and dementia suffers.

Neighbours of Sowerby House spoke of their shock at the death, although few had heard about the incident until the following day.

One nearby resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I wondered what all the police were doing there.

“It is very sad – not something you would expect in a village like Sowerby.”

Leader of Hambleton District Council and ward member for Sowerby, Cllr Mark Robson, said his immediate thoughts were with the family of the man, as well as the staff at Sowerby Grange care home.

He said: “We don’t know all the circumstances of the death but my sympathies go to the relatives and friends of the man who has died.

“This is not what you expect to happen in a small village so it will be shocking for residents to hear.

“I’m also concerned for the staff at the home; this will be a difficult time.”

A spokeswoman for Orchard Care Homes said: “We can confirm that there was a death at the home on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 11.

“This is a police matter and we are cooperating fully with the police investigation.”