The first counsel to address the jury this morning (24 April) was Mr Stephen Constantine for Matthew Banner. He didn’t have a microphone for his initial opening comments so I missed them, but when those in the dock alerted the court to the fact they were struggling to hear that was addressed. So ladies and […]
The last address the jury heard on Friday (21 April) was from Mr Andrew Rutter for Peter Bennett. He referenced Ms Richardson’s opening to her closing speech where she said that the jury may be sick of hearing her voice. I’m at the other end of that particular scale, you’ve heard very little from me, […]
Ms Anne Richardson started her closing by telling the ladies and gentlemen of the jury that they would be very relieved to know that this would probably be the last time they’d hear her voice in this trial “you’ve heard a great deal of my voice in the last few weeks”. She told the jury […]
The jury were brought into court shortly after midday today. HHJ Smith thanked them and apologised that they were slightly later in than anticipated. HHJ Smith explained to the members of the jury that he had two documents for them, one was further legal directions, and a second was a Route to Verdict Questionnaire. HHJ […]
The final defendant, who faces one charge, Count 27, was called to give her evidence by her counsel, Mr Rooney. In response to questions she told the court that she was 27, had never been charged with any criminal offence before this one, had never been cautioned by the police and was a person of […]
19 April 2023 The penultimate defendant, John Sanderson, was called to give evidence after the morning break. He gave an affirmation and his counsel, Mr Dryden, started by asking him to face the jury when giving his evidence. MrD: You are charged with two counts of ill-treatment involving the patient or service user, Patient 4. […]
18 April 2023 The seventh defendant to give their evidence to the court was Darren Lawton. His counsel, Ms Brown, started by handing out an additional small bundle and a discussion followed about where it should be placed in the files. Ms Brown said to Mr Lawton that she’d ask him questions grouped around topics. […]
17 April 2023 Niall Mellor was the sixth of the nine defendants to give his evidence. Mr Patton, his counsel, took him through his examination in chief, starting after lunch. Mr Patton confirmed that one of the two charges against Mr Mellor, Count 17 had been amended. HHJ Smith told the court that instead of […]
14 April 2023 The fifth defendant to give their evidence to the court was Ryan Fuller. Mr Fuller is charged with 10 counts of ill-treatment. Mr Knox, counsel for Mr Fuller, started by asking him about his background. Mr Fuller told the court he was 27, agreed that he was a man of good character […]
13 April 2023 The fourth defendant to give evidence was the Senior Staff Nurse Karen McGhee. Her counsel, Mr Normanton, started by providing additional transcripts for additional video clips he would show, and one page of additional agreed facts. In response to questions from Mr Normanton the court heard that Mrs McGhee was 54 and […]