Woman denies killing child in 1978 bath scald

A 66-year-old woman has denied killing a five-year-old child by scalding her in a hot bath almost 50 years ago.

Janice Nix was charged in February over the death of Andrea Bernard, who was taken to hospital after she suffered burns in Thornton Heath, south London, on 6 June 1978.

Andrea died from her injuries just over a month later.

The defendant, of Rodenhurst Road, Clapham, appeared at the Old Bailey where she denied one count of manslaughter.

Ms Nix also denied another charge relating to alleged cruelty to Andrea's brother Desmond Bernard between 1 October 1975 and 6 June 1978, when he was aged five to eight.

A previous hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard that Andrea had been forced into a very hot bath which scalded 50% of her body.

Ms Nix was aged between 16 and 19 at the time of the alleged incidents.

The Metropolitan Police said the force launched an investigation into Andrea's death in September 2022 after the incident was reported by Mr Bernard, who is now an adult.

Ms Nix was released on bail with conditions including to surrender her passports and not to go to any international travel hubs.

She is due at Isleworth Crown Court on 27 March, when a trial date is expected to be set.

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