A carer has been cleared of five charges of ill-treating elderly women at a Medway home for dementia sufferers.

The jury was discharged from returning verdicts on Jillian Stone on six remaining charges after reaching a deadlock following 10-and-a-half hours of deliberation.

Judge Jeremy Carey gave the prosecution at Maidstone Crown Court until March 16 to state whether or not a retrial would be sought on the outstanding charges.

Stone, formerly of Walderslade Road, Chatham, denied 11 offences of ill-treatment or neglect of a person who lacks capacity between January 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010.

The allegations related to five residents.

The 48-year-old team leader, now of South Norwood, south east London, had her unconditional bail continued.

Stone worked first at Churchlands care home in Palmerston Road, Chatham, and when building work was carried out there moved to Shaws Wood, in Strood.

She moved back to the Churchlands site when the work was completed and the home was renamed Amherst.