Founder of Browns Brasseries accused of murdering mother with morphine
Siblings on trial over death of 100-year-old mother
Jeremy Mogford, founder of Browns Brasseries, and his sister Sarah Pickering are on trial for allegedly murdering their 100-year-old mother, Pamela Mogford, by administering liquid morphine to hasten her death, Oxford Crown Court has heard.
The alleged murder occurred in Bledlow Ridge, Buckinghamshire, in February 2022. They also face an alternative charge of attempted murder.
The court was presented with text messages from Pickering on the night of her mother's death, which allegedly included incriminating admissions such as "I am actually killing her" and remarks suggesting she intended to "top someone".
On the same day as Queen Elizabeth II's death, Mogford allegedly messaged Pickering suggesting they might "morphine Queenie up like we did".
Mrs Mogford's GP visited her three times on the day before her death, administering morphine injections that evening, believing she might be dying.
Mrs Mogford's cause of death was initially certified as "old age" by the GP, who did not suspect foul play at the time.
However, it is alleged that Mogford and Pickering subsequently gave their mother additional doses of Oramorph, a liquid morphine prescribed weeks earlier.
Prosecutors allege their intention was to accelerate her passing, while the siblings deny this, claiming the medication was given for pain relief.
Mrs Mogford died in her home at Rose Cottage, cared for by a live-in carer. She had stated she did not want to be admitted to hospital under any circumstances.
Jurors heard that it was not until later, when police examined the phone of Pickering's husband for unrelated reasons, that texts referring to the administration emerged.
The post-mortem examination carried out more than a year after her burial confirmed the presence of morphine in her body but could not ascertain the quantity administered before her death.
Both Mogford and Pickering remain on bail, with the trial set to feature complex expert evidence.
The proceedings continue.