Woman sentenced for leaving elderly mother in a chair for a year

Linda Farr, of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire

A woman who left her elderly mother sitting in a chair for up to 12 months before her death has been handed a suspended jail term.

Linda Farr was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, after admitting gross negligence manslaughter of Doreen Shufflebotham, officials at Stafford crown court said.

Shufflebotham, 86, died on 6 September 2016 after becoming increasingly unwell. She had a femur fracture, which had become infected, and developed a pulmonary embolism, sepsis, deep-vein thrombosis and acute bacterial meningitis, Staffordshire police said.

“Medical experts estimated that Doreen had not moved from the chair that she was sitting in for approximately eight-12 months,” the force said.

Three days after her mother’s death, Farr, 68, of Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested and later charged.

DI Dan Ison said: “It is very upsetting to hear the extent of negligence in this case. Doreen’s injuries were incredibly severe and she must have experienced terrible pain in her last few months as she became increasingly ill.

“This was a very traumatic experience for our investigating officers and I would like to praise their professionalism in the face of horrific injuries and conditions.

“I hope this raises awareness to others that appropriate medical advice should always be sought, especially if an elderly person is involved.”

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Woman sentenced for leaving elderly mother in a chair for a year