Michelle Neill, 55, has been handed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, after admitting gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of her paralysed sister, 48-year-old Kelly Neill. The sentence was passed down by Judge Richard Marks KC at the Old Bailey, who noted the case's "highly unusual and deeply distressing" circumstances.
Kelly Neill, a former stroke nurse, became paralysed after suffering a stroke herself in 2018. She died on October 23 2022, three days after being admitted to St Thomas's Hospital in London. A post-mortem examination determined the cause of death as sepsis, resulting from multiple skin ulcers and the previous stroke.
Paramedics discover appalling conditions
On the morning of October 20 2022, Michelle Neill called for an ambulance to attend the family home in Deptford, south London. Prosecutor Anthony Orchard KC told the court that paramedics found Kelly Neill on the living room floor in unsanitary conditions, surrounded by dirt, decay and clutter.
Mr Orchard described the scene: "In the front room they were greeted by the smell of excrement, urine, general dirt, and decaying flesh. The room was in a dreadful state, with clutter everywhere. Kelly Neill was on the floor, wrapped in a soiled and filthy bed sheet, surrounded by urine, blood and flies. She was wet."
Upon lifting her, paramedics observed multiple severe bed sores with obvious signs of infection and necrosis, with flies and at least one cigarette butt stuck to her leg. She was distressed, non-verbal and groaning.
No benefits or medical visits for months
The court heard that Kelly Neill lived in "toxic" and "appalling" conditions after her sister took over as sole carer following the death of their mother. At the time of her death, no disability benefits were being received into the household, and there had been no visits from a GP or social services for "many months".
Kelly Neill's son, Jake Neill-Knight, 26, had argued with his aunt over her care and told her his mother needed to be in a home. However, the defendant disagreed and controlled access to the house. Mr Neill-Knight had last seen his mother in February 2022 and went to Spain that summer, returning to the UK after the death of his grandmother.
Victim's son describes 'pure evil'
Reading a victim impact statement in court, Mr Neill-Knight described the ongoing and devastating loss of his mother in "harrowing" circumstances. He said his mother had been "stolen" in a "disgusting manner" with her "dignity stripped and her body defiled".
He told the court: "When she first went into hospital before she died, I could hardly recognised her, she was a shell of what used to be, so small, curled up stiff and rigid….The bed sores were horrendous."
Mr Neill-Knight expressed guilt about what happened but said: "The guilt we carry because of the choice that Michelle made is unjust. I can't even begin to imagine how anybody could walk past a person or ignore someone in my mum's condition leading up to her death. I'd help a random stranger if they were in that way, so a family member, no sane person would do what my aunt has done to a member of their family."
He added: "My mum wasn't just someone Michelle cared for or a job she was getting paid for. No, my mum was her only sister, her little sister. She was supposed to look after her. Protect her. Her own flesh and blood, that she walked past for God knows how many days before calling an ambulance. How could you do that, see that, smell that, feel that and do nothing? That is pure evil."
Judge cites remorse and unlikely reoffending
Mitigating, Jennifer Dempster KC said Neill had expressed "genuine remorse". Earlier that morning, Neill had told her: "This does not end for me today. This will be something I will carry for the rest of my life. I will never forgive myself for what has happened."
Judge Marks noted Neill, who had anxiety and depression, was "completely unable" to care for her sister and "incapable of seeking help". He added that it was "impossible to accept" she had been unaware of the severity of her sister's condition. He told her: "I also accept that you loved Kelly and you are genuinely and profoundly remorseful for events."
The judge said he would suspend her sentence due to her "personal mitigation" and because she is not likely to reoffend.
