A mother and daughter who left the corpse of a grandmother unburied for up to six months while one of them obtained her pension were told in a British court today they face jail.
The body of Olive Maddock (91) was left rotting in the bedroom of her Merseyside home by daughter Olive Hazel Maddock, known as Hazel, and granddaughter Jasmine (35).
Hazel Maddock, a television extra who has worked on Channel 4 dramas Brookside and Hollyoaks, admitted unlawful prevention of burial when she appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today.
She also pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining one payment of her dead mother’s state pension of £176.92 (€200) and a single payment of pension credit of £34.44.
Jasmine, an artist, pleaded guilty to leaving the corpse of her grandmother unburied.
The facts of the case were not opened by the prosecution today.
Police found Olive Maddock’s body last August after a neighbour raised concerns, and officers gained entry to the house the three women shared in Saltburn Road, Wallasey. They found the remains of the elderly woman slumped behind the door of her bedroom.
Forensic examination did not give an exact cause or date of death, but it is thought she died of natural causes any time between two and six months earlier.
Both women, who no longer live together or at the Wallasey home they shared with the grandmother, were granted bail on condition of residence to addresses shown to the court.
Judge Gerald Clifton ordered reports and said his allowing them bail should not be interpreted as a signal that their sentences will be non-custodial.
Speaking to Jasmine Maddock, who sobbed throughout today’s proceedings, the judge said: "You must expect the possibility of a custodial sentence." The pair will be sentenced on Friday, July 1st.
PA