Carer admits murder of 90-year-old patient in her own home

A carer has admitted murdering a 90-year-old patient who was found dead at her home on Merseyside.

Jayne Hill, 51, who appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink from HMP Styal on Thursday, pleaded guilty to killing Myra Thompson and was told by the judge she would get a life sentence.

The defendant, wearing a yellow knitted jumper, also admitted stealing £60 cash from Mrs Thompson on 12 April.

The pensioner was found dead in Spital, Wirral, on 23 April.

Hill was one of her carers, an earlier court hearing was told.

The court previously heard that a friend of Mrs Thompson’s who had power of attorney, would make cash withdrawals on her behalf before placing the money in the victim’s handbag, the Liverpool Echo reported, quoting prosecutor Christopher Hopkins.

The friend began to suspect that these funds were being stolen – leading to CCTV being installed in her home.

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Hill was caught on camera stealing money from Mrs Thompson in early April and on the evening of 22 April she returned to Mrs Thompson’s address to discuss the alleged theft, to ask her to reconsider the complaint and to offer to repay the money, the publication said.

Mr Hopkins said: “She [Hill] let herself in. She went upstairs. The defendant picked up a stainless steel drink flask and struck her on the head twice before placing a pillow over her head until she stopped resisting. She then left the address.”

The court heard Mrs Thompson’s “preliminary cause of death” was asphyxia.

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Merseyside Police were called to Ms Thompson’s address on Bolde Way shortly before 11.30am on 23 April after being contacted by the North West Ambulance Service. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Judge Denis Watson said a life sentence was required by law for murder but it was up to a judge to decide on a minimum term.

He said: “Before that can be done there is still quite a lot of clarification required.”

Hill, of Norwich Drive, Upton, was remanded in custody to appear for a further hearing at Liverpool Crown Court in September.

She is due to appear in magistrates’ court next week after being charged with additional offences following the discovery of jewellery and items believed to belong to other patients.

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