Woman Charged with Manslaughter Over 1978 Death of Five-Year-Old Girl in London

Image credits: Andy Rain/EPA

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the death of a young girl in 1978, and after a thorough inquiry, a 66-year-old woman, Janice Nix, has been charged with manslaughter over the death of five-year-old Andrea Bernard. Andrea was assaulted in Thornton Heath, south London, on 6 June 1978, and died from her injuries in a specialist burns unit on 13 July of that year. The Met Police said that Andrea was known to Ms Nix, and the investigation was launched in September 2022 after a report was made.

Ms Nix, from Clapham, has also been charged with child cruelty in relation to alleged offences involving another child, who was aged eight at the time. The 66-year-old is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, where she will face the charges. The case has been ongoing since the investigation was launched, and the police have been working to gather evidence and build a case against Ms Nix. The charges are a significant development in the case, and the court will now consider the evidence and determine the outcome.

The incident occurred in 1978, when Andrea was taken to hospital after being assaulted in Ashley Road, Thornton Heath, south London. She was initially treated at a hospital in Croydon before being transferred to a specialist burns unit in East Grinstead, West Sussex. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Andrea died from her injuries on 13 July 1978. The case was reopened in 2022, and the police have been working to investigate the circumstances surrounding Andrea's death. The charges against Ms Nix are a result of this investigation, and the case will now proceed to court.

Here is a timeline of events in the case: * 6 June 1978: Andrea Bernard is assaulted in Thornton Heath, south London * 13 July 1978: Andrea dies from her injuries in a specialist burns unit * September 2022: The Metropolitan Police launch an investigation into Andrea's death * February 2025: Janice Nix is charged with manslaughter and child cruelty * Wednesday: Ms Nix is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court. The case is a significant one, and the outcome will be closely watched. The police and the court will work to ensure that justice is served, and the family of Andrea Bernard will finally have closure after many years.

The use of forensic evidence and advances in technology have played a crucial role in the investigation, and the police have been able to gather evidence that was not available at the time of the original incident. The case highlights the importance of persistence and determination in investigating crimes, even those that occurred many years ago. The police and the justice system will continue to work to ensure that those responsible for crimes are held accountable, and that victims and their families receive the justice they deserve.