CARE WORKER JAILED FOR MURDER OF DISABLED PATIENT TO CLAIM £70,000 FROM WILL
A 44-year-old care worker named Thelma Purchase received a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering Greg Baker, a man with disabilities.The judge described the killing as a truly appalling offense driven by greed.
Purchase, along with her co-defendants—her son Lance Rudge and Shane Edge—were convicted of killing Mr.
Baker, who had been disabled since childhood due to polio and muscular dystrophy, at his residence in Alton, Staffordshire, in June of the previous year.
Shane Edge entered Mr.
Baker’s home in the dark and suffocated him with a pillow.
The court was told that Purchase’s motive was financial gain, as she hoped to inherit part of Mr.
Baker’s cottage.
Though she denied any involvement, evidence such as mobile phone records and testimonies about discussions of suffocation to obtain a will linked her to the crime scene.
Edge was sentenced to a minimum of 18 years, while Rudge received a 20-year term.
It was also revealed that Mr.
Baker had previously provided Purchase with money to buy a car, which she used to transport Edge.
The judge highlighted Mr.
Baker’s vulnerability, noting he was a respected individual left unable to defend himself, calling the murder cowardly and callous.
Detective Chief Inspector Ken Raper described the murder as a heinous act causing deep grief for Mr.
Baker’s family.
