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Negligent daughter spared jail after pensioner, 86, died from sitting in a chair for a YEAR

A woman was left in a chair for up to a year before she died (File picture: Rex)
A woman was left in a chair for up to a year before she died (File picture: Rex)

A negligent daughter has been spared jail after her 86-year-old mother died from sitting in a chair for a year.

Frail Doreen Shufflebotham died in September 2016, after becoming increasingly unwell with a catalogue of injuries and health conditions.

Medical experts believe she suffered “terrible pain” and discomfort from sitting in a chair from between eight and 12 months.

Her daughter, Linda Farr, 68, was jailed for 20 months, suspended for two years, after admitting gross negligence manslaughter of her mother, Stafford Crown Court officials said.

Mrs Shufflebotham had a femur fracture, which had become infected, and suffered a pulmonary embolism, sepsis, deep-vein thrombosis and acute bacterial meningitis, Staffordshire Police said.

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In a statement issued following sentencing, the force said: “Medical experts estimated that Doreen had not moved from the chair that she was sat in for approximately 8-12 months.”

Three days after her mother’s death, Farr, 68, of Cardiff Grove, Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested and later charged.

The woman’s daughter admitted gross negligence manslaughter (File picture: Rex)
The woman’s daughter admitted gross negligence manslaughter (File picture: Rex)

She was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Monday, having previously admitted gross negligence manslaughter.

Detective Inspector Dan Ison 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.”

He added: “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 to others that appropriate medical advice should always be sought, especially if an elderly person is involved.”