Former care home manager denies writing vulnerable resident's will because she 'could not write at the time because of a medical condition'

Jamiel Slaney-Summers took to the witness stand to give evidence in her defence at the fraud trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Slaney-Summers, 65, is accused of abusing her position as manager of Amberley Care Home, Stourbridge Road, Brierley Hill to defraud resident Rita Barnsley by altering her will and a separate charge of stealing £6,000 from her.

Also in the dock with her are the home's owners at the time of Mrs Barnsley's death Lyn, 71, and Graham Walker, 74 who are both accused of abusing their position to defraud Mrs Barnsley, who was 85 when she died in August 2021.

When asked if she wrote the will which made her, Lyn Walker and other staff members beneficiaries of Mrs Barnsley's £175 estate, Slaney-Summers replied: "It could not have been me because I could not write at the time because of a medical condition which I have evidence proving. 

Slaney-Summers said: "I withdrew money using Rita's cash card often before I set up a standing order with the bank. The money was for fees at the home but also for chocolate which she liked and she liked to buy flowers every Saturday.

"She was compus mentus when she was in the home and was a very nice lady."

The Walker's barrister Henery Skudry asked: "This is all lies, how many lies are you going to tell?"

To which Slaney-Summers replied: "I have not told one lie about anything. I am not a liar."

She was also asked if she made Lyn Walker an executor of the will to make her a stooge if caught. 

She said: "I did not do anything like that."

The former manager was also asked about an online bingo account with Coral which had thousands of pounds put into it.

She said: "Yes, the account was in my name but it was my daughter who was using it, she got into trouble with debts."

Mr and Mrs Walker, both of Ribbesford Close, Cradley, are accused of defrauding Rita Barnsley, a former resident of the home who died in August 2021 at the age of 85, out of £175,000.

Former manager Jamiel Slaney-Summers, 65, Raven Hays Road, Northfield, faces the same charge and is also accused of the theft of £6,000 from Rita Barnsley.

The trial has been delayed several times due to Slaney-Summers not attending court which resulted in a bench warrant being issued and her being taken into custody.

All three deny the charges.