Concern over care of killer.

Byline: By Louise Redvers

An independent inquiry has been launched into how a psycho-pathic pensioner who killed a fellow patient was placed in a Tyneside care home.

May Thrower, 83, had a history of psychiatric illness, spent long spells in Rampton and had previous convictions of violence.

But it is claimed this information was never made available to staff at Coniscliffe Residential Home in Jesmond, Newcastle, and her record was only revealed when she attacked another resident.

Social services chiefs say they "did not know the extent of her medical history until she was arrested for her current conviction".

A spokesman for Highfield Care, which owns Conniscliffe Residential Home, said: "There was no indication in writing or verbally to the staff that she had any instability or convictions."

Spinster Olive Garvie, 93, died three weeks after being bludgeoned around the head with an ornamental iron.

At Newcastle Crown Court Thrower pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was sent indefinitely to a secure hospital.

City social services have now launched an independent inquiry into Miss Garvie's death and how Thrower was placed at the Jesmond home.

Thrower's attack on Garvie was not her first.

In 1995, while living in Cruddas Park, Thrower launched a ferocious attack on her 87-year-old neighbour Isobel Yeaman.

She kicked and punched her and then battered her with a chair.

Thrower pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was placed on probation for two years. But social services say they had no idea about this conviction, or her medical history until she was arrested for the attack on Miss Garvie in February last year.

Newcastle's social services department has a three-star status. The Commission for Social Care Inspection, who give the ratings, has been informed of the review.

A council spokesman said: "An independent investigation is taking place and any recommendations will be carefully considered."

Newcastle Central MP Jim Cousins said he wanted the inquiry to be held in public and attacked the council for the lack of information being provided. Sue Pearson, of Newcastle Age Concern, said: "There are specialist residential homes for elderly people with mental health problems and I am sure the inquiry will examine why Miss Garvie was not placed in a more suitable environment."

Sentencing Thrower to an indefinite stay in a secure hospital, Judge David Hodson said: "How different things might have been if that information had been known to them."