Son's relief as Stourbridge home admits guilt on death
The son of a dementia sufferer who died from hypothermia after going missing from a residential home has spoken of his relief that the family are finally getting answers after home bosses admitted blame.
Hilda Fairweather, aged 91, went to Abele View care home near Stourbridge in a move to provide her a more secure accommodation because she would walk off in the night.
But within two weeks of moving to the home in Iverley, Mrs Fairweather, who is from Kidderminster, froze to death overnight in the outdoor grounds of the home.
Following a two-and-a-half year police investigation, South Staffordshire District Council charged the home with failing to ensure the safety of its residents and not making a sufficient risk assessment. At a magistrates court hearing, the company pleaded guilty to both charges.
Today, Mrs Fairweather's son Roger, 51, of Bishops Castle, Shropshire, said: "We are obviously relieved, but hardly surprised because, frankly, they had no leg to stand on. It is clear that staff and management were grossly negligent."
He added: "This has gone on for so long for the family, we want it to finish and a result to happen so we can move on with our lives."
Mrs Fairweather lived with her husband George, 90, in sheltered accommodation in Kidderminster until her dementia worsened.
Following a period of respite for Mr Fairweather, his wife was moved to Abele View care home in January 2009. She was found dead at 7am on January 30.
It is understood a member of staff found a door open and, instead of checking all residents were in the home, closed and locked the door.
Roger Fairweather said: "It took us a long time to get any answers, but finally, it seems, we are getting somewhere."
Abele View care home will be sentenced by a judge at a hearing at Stafford Crown Court in April.
