Case dismissed

A Southampton carer accused of attempting to poison and murder a
client with terminal cancer has had her case dismissed.

Rachel Heath was carer for 71-year-old Kathleen Corfield in
Shirley, Southampton. Corfield, who had lung and throat cancer,
died in Southampton General Hospital in December 1994.

Heath arrived at the hospital as Corfield was dying and was
arrested by police minutes after her death, where she was charged
with attempted murder and with administering diamorphine to
endanger Corfield’s life.

Heath denied the charges and the case was dropped at Winchester
Crown Court last week. The judge told counsel that if Heath was
convicted she would receive a nominal penalty.