A police worker has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of her 82-year-old mother.

Angela Pearson, who works for West Yorkshire Police, is accused of gross negligence in connection with the death of Eileen Pearson, from Fairway, Guiseley, on May 10 last year.

The 52-year-old, of Ghyll Royd, Guiseley, entered her plea during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.

Pearson, who has been suspended from her job as a support worker, and her mother lived together at a detached house in Fairway, Tranmere Park. Police received reports of the pensioner’s death earlier this year.

Neighbours said at the time that officers spent two weeks searching the home and large boards were put up around the perimeter of the property while forensics teams investigated. The home has since been boarded up.

It is alleged that as the daughter and carer of her mother, Pearson owed her a duty of care, which she breached.

The Crown says that, prior to May 10, the defendant failed to provide adequate food, nourishment and care to her elderly mother and did not summon timely medical assistance to address her needs.

This amounted to gross negligence which was a substantial cause of her mother's death, it is alleged.

A trial is due to take place at Preston Crown Court from June 26. It is scheduled to last up to three weeks.

The defendant was granted unconditional bail.