Woman died after daughter left her in chair for up to a year

AN ELDERLY woman died after her own daughter left her sitting in a chair for up to a year in a house they shared.

Linda Farr, 68, failed to get medical help for Doreen Shufflebotham, 86, who suffered from a string of serious health issues.

A court heard how medical experts estimated the pensioner had not moved from her chair for between eight and 12 months before her death on Sept 6 2016.

Ms Shufflebotham suffered with a catalogue of injuries including a fracture and infection of the femur, a pulmonary embolism, sepsis, deep vein thrombosis as well as acute bacterial meningitis.

Farr was arrested three days after her mother’s death at the £300,000 bungalow they shared in Fenton, Stokeon-trent, Staffs. She was charged with gross negligence manslaughter and

‘Doreen’s injuries were incredibly severe and she must have experienced terrible pain’

pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court in March.

However, at the same court she avoided jail yesterday and was instead handed a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Dan Ison, of Staffordshire Police, 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 in others that appropriate medical advice should always be sought, especially if an elderly person is involved.”