FIVE women have been charged with perverting the course of justice after the death of an 86-year-old man at a Bolton care home.

It comes as police investigate allegations of neglect at Lever Edge Care Home in Lever Edge Lane, Great Lever, in connection with the death of the resident on Saturday, January 9.

All five suspects have been bailed to appear at Bolton Magistrates' Court on April 21.

Michelle Hayes, aged 49, of Woodvale Avenue, Great Lever; Deborah Amanda Scrivens, aged 43, of Hurstwood, Sharples; Danielle Menzies, aged 22, of Glenbrook Gardens, Farnworth; Michelle Gilman, aged 44, of Moorby Walk, Bolton; and Lynda Johnson, aged 63, of Calf Hey Close, Radcliffe, who is listed as the manager of the care home, have all been charged with a single count of perverting the course of justice.

Lever Edge Care Home is run by Chesterfield-based Hill Care and offers general health care needs as well as dementia care support for its residents.

It is a purpose-built care home with capacity for up to 81 residents.
A spokesman for Lever Edge Care Home said: "Lever Edge Care Home continues to work closely with Greater Manchester Police, Bolton Council and the Care Quality Commission during inquiries into the incident on Saturday January 9 2016."

Bolton Council suspended placements in the home as a result of the investigation.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) carried out an inspection in November last year that rated the care home as 'good'.

The report was later removed from its website, leaving the latest published inspection as one from November, 2013 when the care home achieved an identical 'good' rating.

The CQC said it would carry out its own investigation into events once the police investigation is finished.