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Woman accused of killing girl in 1978 by forcing her into hot bath was 'violent', court hears
Prosecutors say the abuse formed a cycle of violence, and Desmond Bernard told police in 2022 that Andrea’s bath scalding was no accident.
- On Tuesday, Janice Nix, 67, stood trial at Isleworth Crown Court, denying manslaughter in the 1978 death of five-year-old Andrea Bernard. Prosecutors allege Nix forced the child into a scalding bath in Thornton Heath, London, on June 6, 1978.
- Andrea's death was treated as an accident for nearly 50 years until her brother, Desmond Bernard, contacted police in September 2022 with new information. Nix, who served as the children's stepmother, was charged following these allegations.
- Prosecutor Kerry Broome told jurors Nix subjected the children to a "cycle of violence," including belt beatings and forced cold baths. Broome alleged Nix also burned Desmond with cigarettes and forced him to eat cat food as punishment.
- The prosecution characterized Nix's actions as "serious, violent, cruel, degrading and unacceptable forms of punishment" even by late 1970s standards. Nix also faces cruelty charges regarding Desmond between October 1, 1975, and June 6, 1978.
- Jurors heard Nix had primary responsibility for the children while their father worked as a chauffeur, often away from home. The trial continues as the court examines whether her actions toward the siblings, then aged seven to nine, constituted criminal abuse.
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23 Articles
Daily MirrorReposted by 
The Business Times
The Business TimesStepmother is accused of killing girl, 5, in scalding hot bath
Janice Nix, 66, denied killing her stepdaughter Andrea Bernard who died after she suffered 50 per cent burns to her body when she was allegedly forced into the hot bath
·London, United Kingdom
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Sky News UKReposted by 
Great Yorkshire Radio
Great Yorkshire RadioWoman accused of killing girl in 1978 by forcing her into hot bath was 'violent', court hears
Andrea Bernard's death was treated as an accident for almost half a century, until her brother alleged Janice Nix had forced her into a scalding bath. Nix has pleaded not guilty.
·United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left6Leaning Right3Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Center
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources are Center
47% Center
L 35%
C 47%
R 18%
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