Care-home accused to face trial at crown court

Prosecutors claim Trevor Foster, 66, his wife Barbara, 64, and their daughter in law Lisa Thorn, were responsible for the “systematic abuse” of five women and two men with learning difficulties over a number of years at the former Woodlands Residential Home at Ryhill, near Wakefield.

The trio each face eight charges of ill treating or neglecting residents at the home between April 2007 and March 2009, with allegations there was a lack of heating and residents did not receive cold weather payments paid to the home. It is also alleged the three accused mismanaged residents’ benefits, and kept some food from them while “inappropriate” food was provided.

Prosecutor Amanda Harris said: “The Crown would say this matter is not suitable to be heard in this court.”

She added: “The Crown’s case is that it is systematic abuse over a number of years at the care home, which is the neglect or mistreatment of residents there.”

Chairman of the bench Marilyn Burt, told the three defendants: “The bench feel this case should be heard in the crown court.”

All were released on conditional bail and told to return to Pontefract Magistrates Court for a further hearing on August 28.

Trevor Foster, of St Anne’s Street, Wakefield; Barbara Foster, of Mill Lane, Wakefield; and Thorn, of Mayfields Way, Pontefract, spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses.

The home has since closed.