Nurse jailed for knife killing of daughter, 4

Dawn Makin, 35, became depressed after she was sacked following allegations that she passed information about patients to a personal injury claims firm.

Makin, now in a wheelchair after drinking anti-freeze in her suicide bid, earlier admitted the manslaughter of her daughter, Chloe Burke, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Preston Crown Court heard today that she was suffering an “abnormality of mental function” when she stabbed Chloe to death and then drank the anti-freeze at their home in Bury.

Peter Wright QC, for the prosecution, said: “She was no longer able to form a rational judgment and believed the only way was to kill herself and her daughter.”

He said the nurse practitioner lost her job at Moorgate Walk-in Centre in Bury after passing patient details to her boyfriend, Martin Campbell, who worked for a personal injury claims firm.

Mr Wright said: “Sadly, an agreement was reached between the defendant and her partner that she would supply details of patients at the clinic.”

In May 2010, a complaint was made by a patient, and Makin was suspended pending an investigation, the court heard. Three months later she was dismissed.

In February 2011 Makin and her daughter were found when the defendant’s mother, Sheila, forced her way into the house.

Chloe was lying dead on her mother’s bed in clean pyjamas and a dressing gown surrounded by cuddly toys. She had suffered knife injuries to her chest, neck and throat.

Makin had serious injuries and was rushed to hospital.

Nick Johnson QC, defending Makin, said: “The defendant genuinely believed that if she took her own life, her daughter would be better off dead.”