FIVE woman have appeared in court over an alleged care home cover-up which involved placing a dead man back in bed, falsifying records and withholding the death from the authorities.

The allegations concern the death of a resident called Ronald Dean at Lever Edge Care Home in Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, who was 89. All of the defendants are accused of perverting the course of justice on January 9.

Care home manager Lynda Johnson, aged 63, of Calf Hey Close, Radcliffe, is said to have "instructed a fellow member of staff to place the deceased Ronald Dean into bed and failed to inform the police of his death", according to the charge.

Deborah Scrivens, aged 43, of Hurstwood, Smithills, is alleged to have been "told by Linda Johnson to put the deceased back into bed and instructs the staff to do so and is present when this is done".

Michelle Gilman, aged 44, of Moorby Walk, Great Lever, is said to have "placed the deceased, Ronald Dean, back into his bed".

Danielle Menzies, aged 22, of Glenbrook Gardens, Farnworth, is accused of "falsifying records and helping to place the deceased Ronald Dean back in bed".

Michelle Hayes, aged 49, of Roxalina Street, Great Lever, is accused of having "falsely filled in the record that Ronald Dean 'died in his sleep' and was present in the room when the GP attended and was told the same".

She later reportedly "informs family and GP that Ronald died 'in his sleep' and fails to inform police of the death as instructed by the GP".

The defendants appeared at Bolton Magistrates' Court today and spoke only to confirm their names and addresses.

No further details of the alleged offences were discussed and the five were granted conditional bail.

Perverting the course of justice is an offence that can only be dealt with by the crown court and the case was sent to Bolton Crown Court where there will be a plea hearing on May 19.

Lever Edge Care Home, run by Chesterfield-based Hill Care, is a purpose-built private residential home with space for 78 residents that also offers dementia care.