Two people to appear in court after Blackpool woman died of 'severe emaciation and neglect'

24-year-old Deborah Leitch, known as Debbie, was found dead at a house in Garden Terrace by emergency services on August 29, 2019.

A post-mortem examination gave her cause of death as "severe emaciation and neglect with extensive scabies skin infection", police said.

Six people were interviewed as suspects in connection with the inquiry.

Today (March 23), officers confirmed a man and woman have been summonsed to appear at court following a "thorough investigation".

"Elaine Clarke, 48, of Garden Terrace, Blackpool has been summonsed to answer the charge of gross negligence manslaughter," a spokesman for Lancashire Police said.

"Robert Bruce, 45, of Windsor Crescent, Rothwell, Leeds, has been summonsed for the offence of allowing or causing the death of a vulnerable adult.

"Both are due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on April 20."

Four other people were released without charge.

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