Woman sentenced for killing her mum

A woman who admitted killing her mum, in what our senior investigating officer described as a ‘truly tragic case’, has been sentenced.

Cheryl Banks, 60, was the primary carer for 89 year-old Winifred Grover who had on-set dementia and Alzheimers.

Winifred was found unresponsive at the home they shared in Lenmore Grove, Grays on 21 June last year and, sadly, was pronounced dead.

Prior to officers arriving, Banks had disclosed to a member of her family that she had killed her mother.

A forensic post-mortem identified the most likely cause of death was that Winifred had been smothered.

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

She was charged with Winifred’s murder but on 1 March was found not guilty at Basildon Crown Court.

She had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and at the same court today (Friday 1 April) she was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.

Banks was also handed a 90 day rehabilitation order.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:

“This has been a truly tragic case and my team and I have been left really saddened.
“Winifred Grover was an elderly woman who required constant care.
“At the time of Winifred’s death, the jury found Cheryl Banks’ mental state was such that she was not properly in control of her actions.
“Every part of this case has brought heartache for the family and I want to share my condolences, and those of my team, with them.”