CRIME: Refusing care

CASE: R v Thompson, David; R v Thompson, Phillip [2019] NSWSC 1396 WARNING: Disturbing content If you are responsible for the care of a person and they die because you have failed to provide that care, you may be charged with manslaughter by gross criminal negligence. This was the charge that was brought against David and Phillip Thompson when their mother died in September 2017. In 2017, Shirley Thompson was 72 years old and living in an apartment in Western Sydney wit her two sons. On 23 August, Shirley wasn't speaking, wasn't drinking or eating and had bed sores. Her sons called an ambulance. Shirley died of sepsis 10 days after she was admitted to hospital. Her sons were charged with manslaughter by gross criminal negligence.