Police stopped an elderly woman's funeral two hours before it was due to take place.

This happened after a member of staff at her nursing home claimed she died in suspicious circumstances. But the story was not true and auxiliary nurse Caroline Middleton was sacked from her job at the Inglewood Nursing Home in Eastbourne.

Mrs Middleton, of Maywood Avenue, Eastbourne, who said she believed the allegation after hearing rumours from colleagues, is now claiming compensation for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal.

Her former boss, managing director Leslie Duggleby, who denies unfairly treating her, told the Brighton hearing the false accusation caused distress to relatives of the dead woman, Edna Hoyer, and staff at the home in May last year.

Police launched an investigation into a case of possible manslaughter after being informed the woman had been operated on without anaesthetic to remove gangrene from her ulcerated bed sores. It was alleged the operation, carried out by a senior nurse at the home, caused blood poisoning and led to the patient's death.

Mr Duggleby told the hearing of his shock when a detective chief inspector informed him of the manslaughter inquiry. A post-mortem examination was held which revealed that Mrs Hoyer, who was in her 80s, died of bronchial pneumonia and had been well cared for. The police investigation was closed.

Mr Duggleby launched his own investigation after hearing the complaint came from Mrs Middleton and her husband. She was dismissed for gross misconduct for breaching the patient's confidentiality.

Mrs Middleton claimed she was acting out of concern for the patient and her actions did not justify being sacked.

The hearing continues.

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