Doctor and nurses charged with mansalughter of pensioner

A DOCTOR and three nurses have been charged with the manslaughter of a pensioner who died last year after falling into a coma at a nursing home. Retired miner Billy Brettwood, 77, a resident at Seaton View nursing home in Seaham, County Durham, became ill and lapsed into a coma on 16 April last year. He was admitted to Sunderland General Hospital, where he died two days later.

An initial post-mortem examination was inconclusive. Police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Brettwood's death. A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service and four people were charged with manslaughter yesterday. They are due to appear before Peterlee magistrates on 13 July.