A Gloucester woman, Jane Barnard, has been acquitted of manslaughter following the death of Derek Davies, a 75-year-old resident at the care home where she worked. Barnard, 66, from Longlevens, faced trial at Gloucester Crown Court, where the jury returned a verdict of not guilty on December 8, 2025.
Barnard had previously admitted to one count of wilful neglect under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 in connection with the case. She is scheduled to be sentenced for this offence on January 19, 2026.
During the trial, it was revealed that Barnard mistakenly administered 90 mg of slow-release morphine prescribed for a different resident at Wheatridge Court in Abbeydale to Mr. Davies. Recognising her error, she disposed of Davies’ prescribed medication and failed to report the incident immediately.
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Later that day, Mr. Davies became unwell, prompting Barnard to call emergency services. He was subsequently taken to hospital where he passed away. Barnard then took steps to conceal the mistake, delaying disclosure of the error until two days later when she informed the care home’s deputy manager. At this point, she admitted to panicking and feared the consequences of her actions.
Initially, Mr. Davies’ cause of death was recorded as a brainstem stroke, but was later revised to morphine toxicity following further investigation.
Gloucestershire Police’s Public Protection Unit conducted a thorough investigation, leading to Barnard being charged in July 2024. While she admitted to wilful neglect at the start of her trial, the jury’s not guilty verdict cleared her of manslaughter.
Detective Sergeant Bernadette Harding expressed gratitude to Mr. Davies’ family for their patience and dignity throughout the trial, acknowledging the emotional toll the case had taken. She highlighted the complexity and tragedy of the incident and commended the investigation led by Detective Constable Stuart Hurring.
Mr. Davies’ family released a statement expressing the profound impact of the four-year ordeal on their grief process. They thanked law enforcement and the Crown Prosecution Service for their efforts and welcomed the closure the verdict provided.
While the family continues to mourn their loss, they hope the trial’s conclusion will allow them to remember Derek Davies for the man he was and begin to heal from the trauma of the events.