Court orders care home closure

The elderly people's home is in Great Yarmouth

A private care home at the centre of an investigation into the deaths of two residents, has been closed.

Magistrates in Great Yarmouth cancelled the registration of the owners of Taywood House, Francois and Kim Knoote, after an application by the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) on Friday.

The 11 residents were moved into other nearby care homes for the elderly over the weekend.

Mr and Mrs Knoote were last week arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and later released without charge, on police bail.

Friends separated

Norfolk County Council took over the running of the home, on North Denes Road, Great Yarmouth, as a temporary measure after the arrests.

Lisa Christensen, director of the county's social services department, said: "We already had well-prepared contingency plans for residents to be moved safely to suitable accommodation at other care homes.

"Of course it does mean friends have been separated, which is far from ideal."

Norfolk Police, the NCSC and social services are now conducting an investigation into the deaths of two elderly men at the home.

The inquiry will also look at standards of care at the home and a series of alleged thefts between May 2000 and the present day.