The director of a Sherwood Rise care home has been jailed after his gross negligence caused the death of an 86-year-old woman.
Ivy Atkin died on 22 November 2012, shortly after being moved from Autumn Grange care home in Sherwood Rise.
At Nottingham Crown Court yesterday (February 5), Sherwood Rise Ltd, who owned Autumn Grange, was ordered to pay £300,000 after pleading guilty to corporate manslaughter at an earlier hearing. The company must also pay prosecution costs of £41,500.
Yousaf Khan, 47, of Lucknow Drive, Nottingham – one of the company directors – was jailed for three years and two months after pleading guilty to gross negligence manslaughter, in connection with Ivy’s death.
Mohammed Rahamatullah Khan, 39, of Zulla Road, Nottingham, who had admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act, namely that he failed to take appropriate action around the health and safety of those in the home, was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years. A further charge against him was dropped.
Charges were also dropped against Naseen Kiani, 54, of Whirlow Grange Drive, Sheffield and Safeena Bibi, 26, of Plantation Side, Nottingham.
Det Supt Rob Griffin, who led the investigation into Ivy Atkin’s death, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation which has required a focus into the work of those operating within a care home and has resulted in landmark convictions.
“Sherwood Rise Ltd took on responsibility for a number of elderly people who should be well cared for and should be trusted to look after them.
“As far as Ivy Atkin was concerned, there were appalling failures to provide her with the care she deserved. She spent 48 days inside that care home and during that time her health plummeted.
“When she was eventually rescued – and that’s the word we have used throughout the investigation – she was emaciated, she was dehydrated, she was malnourished and she had the most horrific bed sore to the lower part of her back which had plainly not been cared for. It is right that people have been brought to justice over her death and this case shows that the care of the elderly and vulnerable is not something that people should take lightly.”
Ivy Atkin’s family released the following tribute: “Ivy was a feisty person who was adamant that she didn’t want to leave her own home but once it became clear that she was suffering dementia and after a short spell in hospital, the decision was made to place her in Autumn Grange.
“When she left hospital, she was still quite alert and able to get around slowly with the help of a walking frame. After believing that Ivy was going to be well cared for in the home, it was a huge shock to see how quickly she deteriorated in such a short period of time. We believe Ivy’s life was shortened by the terrible care she received at Autumn Grange which resulted in her suffering a most undignified end to her life.”
