Wirral carer sentenced to life after murdering 90-year-old woman

Jayne Hill, 52, bludgeoned Myra Thompson over the head with a metal flask and smothered her to death with a pillow days after she was captured on camera stealing from her, a court heard.

At Liverpool Crown Court, Nick Johnson, prosecuting, described how Hill waited outside the home of Mrs Thompson on Bolde Way in Spital, late on the evening of April 22 this year until the bedroom lights were turned off and then entered with the aim of “removing her” as a witness to the theft.

A month earlier, a covert camera was set up in the home of Mrs Thompson after she told neighbours she suspected one of her carers was taking cash from her purse.

On April 12 Hill was seen stealing money from Mrs Thompson and the agency worker was subsequently suspended by her employers after she “flatly” denied the offence.

Hill had been caring for the 90-year-old, who was described as "very alert and independent", for four months and had been to her home around 30 times. 

Police at the scene on Bolde Way in Spital on Wednesday, April 24 as investigation into death of 90-year-old Myra Thompson began  (Image: Craig Manning, Newsquest)

Following her suspension Hill did not tell her partner, who was employed by the same agency, that she had been sacked and gave him the appearance that she was still working.

On April 22, she told her partner she had an appointment which required her to sleep overnight at the client’s home and she subsequently drove to Mrs Thompson's address where she sat in her car for almost two hours before entering at around 11pm using a key from a key safe. 

Mr Johnson described how Mrs Thompson was disturbed and began shouting "who's there?" whereupon Hill picked up a metal flask and began hitting the elderly woman before smothering her with a pillow. 

The following day when a carer called, the body of Mrs Thompson, who weighed just six stone, was found lying on her bed with her legs draped over the edge. 

An ambulance was called, but those who attended were suspicious of foul play and a medical examination at the scene and later autopsy found numerous injuries suggesting homicide. 

The cause of death was given as mechanical asphyxiation.

Police at the scene on Bolde Way in Spital on Wednesday, April 24 as investigation into death of 90-year-old Myra Thompson began (Image: Craig Manning / Newsquest)

Hill, a mother of two daughters with four grandchildren, was arrested on suspicion of murder and theft later that evening and after at first denying her crimes she later confessed and pleaded guilty. 

David Polglase, defending, said Hill, who has no previous convictions, had "fallen into temptation as a result of her finances being stretched" when taking the money and other items from other people in her care.

"She cannot properly explain why her reaction to being caught out was what it was," he said. "She bitterly regrets what she has done and the tragic consequences." 

Jailing Hill for life with a minimum term of 22 and a half years, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Andrew Menary KC, told her: “You brutally killed Mrs Thompson while she was alone and utterly defenceless.

“The reason why you committed this dreadful crime really defies belief.

“You waited until you were sure Mrs Thompson was in bed and the lights were off and then perhaps hoped she would be asleep.

“The suddenness, ferocity and persistence of the violence you used demonstrates I am sure that you went there that night intending to kill your victim.

“You hit her several times over the head with a metal flask and then placed a pillow with considerable force over her head and neck.

“You wanted to try to conceal the fact that a crime had been committed by removing the person who you believed was the only possible witness.

“This was a cruel and callous offence involving significant planning and pre-meditation which involved a gross breach of trust.

“This was not a sudden explosion of anger. It was a considered act of selfish motivation and an attempt at self preservation.”

The judge said some of the injuries inflicted on Mrs Thompson indicated she “fought as hard as she possibly could” and added that he had no doubt that Hill had stolen from the former hospital worker on more than one occasion.

She also admitted stealing jewellery from other elderly people she cared for including a gold necklace belonging to a 97-year-old woman.