A carer accused of child cruelty has spoken exclusively to the Essex Chronicle after charges against her were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

She told readers of her immense relief and thanked them for their support.

The 61-year-old had faced four charges of child cruelty/neglect.

She was arrested after a dawn raid in 1998.

Fourteen adults and two children with varying learning difficulties were taken into care after the raid at the care home she founded.

Care order proceedings initiated by Essex County Council preceded a criminal case due in court this month.

But all charges were withdrawn. The Crown Prosecution Service said there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

Speaking exclusively to the Essex Chronicle through her solicitor, the carer said she and her family were “immensely relieved” their nightmare was over.

She told readers: “It has been a gruelling year-and-a-half and we want to say thank you to the many hundreds of supporters who helped us through this difficult period.”

The police said afterwards the care and safety of the vulnerable group of residents had been its priority and it was in their interests that the investigation was carried out.

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