Remains confirmed as missing wife

25 November 2011 Last updated at 13:43 ET

The remains have been formally identified as Mrs Prout

Human remains found in the search for Kate Prout have been formally identified as the murdered woman.

Husband Adrian Prout, who had denied killing her, was jailed for life in February 2010 for the 2007 murder.

He recently confessed and took police to Redhill Farm at Redmarley, in Gloucestershire, to show them where he had buried his wife's body.

Mrs Prout's brother Richard Wakefield said earlier the case had been "like a prison sentence" for the family.

A year ago, the 61-year-old made a plea to his sister's killer to reveal the location of her body.

Dental records

Speaking earlier on behalf of the family, Mr Wakefield said that if the remains were confirmed as his sister it would be a relief to have her back "so we can put Kate to rest at last".

Her remains were discovered on Thursday after a four-day search of the land.

The family of Kate Prout say they hope to put her to rest "at last"

Police confirmed Mrs Prout's identity through dental records.

Former teacher Mrs Prout disappeared the day after she asked her husband for a £800,000 divorce settlement.

The last time anyone heard from her was on 5 November 2007 when she called her bank, First Direct.

Adrian Prout, who owned a pipe-laying business and commercial pheasant shoot, had said he would need to sell £1.2m Redhill Farm to pay the settlement.

Instead, he offered his wife £600,000 plus maintenance.

Prout, 49, reported his wife missing on 10 November that year.

He was jailed for life for his 55-year-old wife's murder in February 2010 despite his denials.

Four years after Mrs Prout went missing, Prout is said to have told his fiancee Debbie Garlick that he strangled his wife following a row and buried her body.

It is thought she told police about the confession and he later admitted to officers he had killed his wife.

'No doubt'

Speaking of the moment they heard that Prout had finally confessed, Mr Wakefield said: "We were very shocked at first and we weren't quite certain whether it was the truth or not."

Prout eventually admitted to police that he had killed his wife

His wife Linda added: "We never thought we'd actually get to the end, where we would eventually have her back and she'd be found."

Mr Wakefield said he never had any doubt that Prout had killed his sister.

"I knew straight away after the first week that there was something drastically wrong, why Kate wasn't there.

"And there was no reason for Kate to go away and leave that farm.

"We've been like prisoners. It's been like a prison sentence for us, having this over our heads all the time.

"But now, that relief has come, so hopefully when we get Kate buried, we can all move on in our lives."

Mrs Wakefield said the search for Mrs Prout's remains had been "just as traumatic" as going through the trial.

She said: "Although we haven't had to go to court every day, the emotion you go through, all the feelings you go through, and the anxiety, waiting, wondering.

"It just tires you out and it's been really just as traumatic."

She said they were grateful to Ms Garlick for coming forward and passing information on to the police.

Continue Reading... Labels: confirmed, Missing, Remains

Two E. coli baby deaths confirmed

22 November 2011 Last updated at 14:07 ET

Singleton Hospital's maternity unit is still open for full-term births

Two babies have died after an E. coli infection, health officials in Swansea have confirmed.

One was a very premature baby who died after contracting ESBL E. coli at the city's Singleton Hospital.

The other baby died in the community but doctors say the cases were linked. How the cross-infection occurred is being investigated.

As a precaution the unit, which has undergone a deep clean, is only open for full-term births.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of one of the babies, Hope Erin Evans from Aberdare, south Wales, who was just five days old when she died at the hospital on 4 November.

'Tragic loss'

Three other non-fatal cases have been confirmed but Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (ABM) University Health Board said they appeared to be isolated incidents.

The board's medical director Dr Bruce Ferguson said: "Tests have confirmed that in one of these cases the ESBL E.coli infection was contracted in the hospital.

"Sadly, this was a very premature baby who, despite the best efforts of staff, later died.

"The cause of death of this baby is currently being investigated by the coroner. Everyone involved with the unit and in the care of this baby deeply regret this tragic loss."

The other baby contracted the infection outside the hospital.

Dr Ferguson reassured expectant mothers due to give birth in Singleton Hospital that the maternity unit is open as usual for full-term births.

As a precaution, the health board has temporarily restricted the neonatal unit to admissions for babies of 36 weeks gestation, or longer.

"These appear to be isolated incidents which have been contained, and there is no evidence of the infection spreading further," Dr Ferguson added.

"Checks have been taken of patients, equipment and areas in the maternity/neonatal unit and no evidence of ESBL E. coli has been found.

"Very saddened"

"The unit has an excellent record for hand-hygiene and general infection control adherence. Reported infection levels in the unit have been below the national average in recent years."

Microbiologist Prof Hugh Pennington told BBC Radio Wales ESBL E. coli caused problems for young babies because their immune systems were not well-developed.

"These bugs . . . are really quite good at getting about and once they get into something like a neonatal unit, history tells us with other related bugs they can be really quite difficult to eradicate.

"I'm sure that the people at Singleton are doing their utmost to make sure that there aren't any problems.

"They have restricted admission to the very young babies because they are the ones really at risk from this particular nasty bug. It's a very reasonable approach to take."

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said she was "very saddened" to hear of the two deaths.

Conservative health spokesman Darren Millar AM expressed his condolences for the families involved, adding: "This is obviously an incredibly serious case and I urge the health minister to update us on the current situation and the next planned steps as soon as possible.

"While I recognise these infections appear to be isolated and contained, those using the hospital will expect regular reassurances from the Welsh government in the immediate future."

Anxious people

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Kirsty Williams said the deaths were a "terrible tragedy".

"While the unit is temporarily closed for some patients, pregnant women in the area who are expected to deliver at the unit need to be reassured that there are alternatives set in place," she added.

"Guarantees are needed that other units that will have to take pre-term mothers have the resources to cope.

Any mothers-to-be who have concerns or questions should speak to their community midwife in the first place. In addition a help line has also been set up: 07747 615627.

Continue Reading... Labels: confirmed, deaths