In a shocking case Jane Hill, a 52-year-old carer from Norwich Drive, Upton, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22-and-a-half years for the murder of 90-year-old Myra Thompson. The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, October 11, 2024.
Hill admitted to entering the home of Myra Thompson in Bolde Way, Spital, where she assaulted and suffocated the elderly woman as she lay in her bed. The victim was discovered dead on the morning of Tuesday, April 23, with the cause of death determined to be mechanical asphyxiation.
The defendant, who had been employed as Thompson’s carer, was arrested following police inquiries. Hill pleaded guilty to both murder and an additional charge of theft, relating to cash she had previously stolen from Thompson’s purse.
Detective Inspector Dave Jones described the crime as “the ultimate breach of trust,” stressing the shocking nature of the attack on a frail and elderly woman in her own home. He stated that Hill had shown no remorse for her actions but would now face a considerable period behind bars.
The case has deeply affected the local community, with Thompson’s friend and neighbour, Ann Jarvis, expressing her loss of faith in humanity. Jarvis described Thompson as a kind and trusting individual who had dedicated her life to caring for others, including her disabled husband.
Thompson’s niece, Anne Charters, spoke of the family’s relief at the conclusion of the case and the “fitting sentence” for Hill. She highlighted the difficulty in coming to terms with the betrayal of trust and the violence inflicted upon her aunt.
