Care home boss fined over faked post votes

The forms, for last year's local council elections, were filled out correctly for the majority of the 20 elderly residents at the Moorfields home in Bury.

However, following an intensive police inquiry, it was discovered that there were discrepancies on four of the papers.

Mark Humphries, prosecuting before magistrates in Bury, said that following questioning Walton, the sister of one of the home's owners -- who was standing as a Conservative candidate but in another ward -- admitted signing on behalf of four residents.

On one she had also used her brother's name as a supposed witness when that had not been the case.

Walton, a grandmother of four from Stockton Drive in Bury, said she had only filled out the forms because of pressure of time.

She claimed to be a life-long Labour supporter and all four of the faked forms were made out in favour of the local Tory candidate.

According to Nick Freeman, defending, three of the pensioners involved were said to be regular Conservative supporters. The fourth, claimed he would have voted Labour even though the form was filled out in favour of the Tories.

On behalf of Walton, it was said that her duties regularly involved her signing forms and other papers on behalf of the residents in her care.

As a result of her prosecution the home had taken a decision that in future, as far as postal votes were concerned, staff would no longer be assisting the senior citizens and that it would be left to their families or friends.

Mr Freeman added: "Her only intention in doing what she did was to assist the residents in placing their vote.

"She is a woman of previously exemplary character and these matters have been hanging over her head now for 13 months. Her situation at the home will not change she will continue as manager."

Walton, who pleaded guilty to four charges of making a false instrument, was fined a total of £200 and ordered to pay £50 court costs.s