Nurse faces five murder bid charges

A hospital sister was charged yesterday with attempting to murder five elderly patients, all of whom later died.

Barbara Salisbury, 47, a nursing sister at Leighton Hospital,in Crewe, was released on conditional bail after appearing in court. The charges relate to the treatment of five elderly patients between 1999 and April last year. All five patients - four men and a woman - later died.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "In May last year, police commenced an investigation into a number of incidents in relation to patient treatment at Leighton Hospital.

"Concerns were raised about the deaths of five elderly people who had been patients at the hospital. As a result of this investigation, we can confirm that Barbara Salisbury has been charged with five counts of attempted murder."

The five alleged victims are James Byrne, 76; Reuben Thompson, 81; Frances Taylor, 88; Frank Owen, 92, and 76-year-old Bertram Madeley.

Ms Salisbury appeared before south Cheshire magistrates yesterday afternoon.

Her address was subjected to reporting restrictions.