The long-awaited inquest into the death of a war hero at a Birmingham nursing home is due to get underway after a seven-year legal battle by relatives.
Hazel Bicknell, from Shirley, Solihull, has been fighting for an inquest into the death of her father Leslie Vines at Maypole Nursing Home, in Kings Heath, in September 2002.
Birmingham Coroner Aidan Cotter originally refused to open an inquest into the death of the 77-year-old.
But he was ordered to do so by Justice Secretary Jack Straw in May 2008 after Mrs Bicknell won a High Court case.
Mr Cotter has ruled a jury should now return a verdict after an inquest at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall so “justice was being seen to be done”.
They will examine the circumstances which led to the death of Mr Vines, of Cranmore Road, Shirley, ten days after being admitted to the nursing home.
Family solicitor Victoria Blankstone, from Irwin Mitchell law firm, said: “Hazel and her family are relieved that, after seven long years fighting for answers, they will finally learn more about the circumstances which led to Mr Vines’ death at the Maypole Nursing Home.”
The Maypole Home was suddenly closed down by National Care Standards Commission inspectors in March 2003 after 27 residents died in the space of a year.
Around 30 witnesses are expected to be called, including owner Dr Hari Gopal, who ran the home with his wife Dr Pratury Lakshmi.
Former nursing home manager Kathleen Smith and two nursing colleagues Mary Casey and Carol Bushell plus police officers and nursing home inspectors are also set to be on the witness list.
Mr Cotter has said that when the death was first referred to him, he decided it was not appropriate to hold an inquest, as a public inquiry would be a better way forward.
But the inquiry never took place.
Mrs Bicknell resolved to take a legal appeal all the way to the High Court in a last ditch effort to have an inquest heard into her father’s death.
The inquest is expected to last three weeks.
