Woman, 60, cleared of murder after smothering dementia-stricken mother, 89

A woman who smothered her dementia-stricken mother to death after she struggled to look after her has been cleared of murder.

Winifred Grover, 89, was found unresponsive on 21 June last year at the home in Grays, Essex, which she shared with her daughter, Cheryl Banks, and Banks’ family.

Mrs Grover had on-set dementia and Alzheimer's and Banks had been her primary carer, having lived with Banks' family for the past three years.

She was pronounced dead at the scene but prior to officers arriving at the address, Banks, 60, had disclosed to members of her family that she had killed Winifred by smothering her.

Banks was later charged with murder and stood trial at Basildon Crown Court where she was acquitted this week.

However, she still faces jail time as she had already admitted manslaughter via diminished responsibility.

In a prepared statement to officers at the time, Banks stated that she had experienced mental health problems for some time and that she loved her mother very much.

The prosecution said that Banks "gave her mother patient and loving care, effectively 24/7" which "no doubt... placed a great burden upon the defendant".

The trial heard that Banks had waited until her son and husband had left for work for the day before killing her mother, and then had attempted to take her own life, leaving two notes for her family.

The defence argued in the trial that Banks at the time had been suffering from depression which included psychotic symptoms.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This is a truly tragic case and one that has really saddened me and my team.

“Winifred Grover was an elderly woman in need of constant care.

"I want to extend my condolences, and those of my team, to her family.”

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