A care home manager was spared jail time and fined £4,000 following the tragic deaths of two wheelchair-bound individuals under her supervision. Alexander Wood, 43, and Alison Tilsley, 63, lost their lives in a boating accident at Roadford Lake in Devon, while another person, Kate Date, sustained severe injuries.
Janice Sowden, the registered manager, admitted to neglecting to provide safe care, resulting in preventable harm. She took six wheelchair-using patients from Burdon Grange Care Home to the lake without adequately assessing the risks, which led to the devastating incident.
According to prosecutor James Marsland, the victims were strapped into wheelchairs on a specially designed boat, which quickly capsized, causing both individuals to drown due to the weight of their wheelchairs.
Judge Stuart Smith criticized Sowden for her negligence, stating that she failed to conduct necessary risk assessments and exhibited a lack of regard for health and safety protocols. Additionally, Sowden attempted to deceive investigators by falsifying safety documentation related to the boat trip.
In sentencing, Sowden was ordered to pay a total of £4,090, including a government surcharge and prosecution costs. Judge Smith condemned Sowden’s actions, emphasizing the devastating impact on the families of the deceased individuals and attributing the tragedy to her disregard for safety measures.