THE bosses of a Hampshire retirement home have been charged with neglect and ill treatment of elderly residents in their care.

The owner and manager of The Briars in Bitterne Park, Southampton, face a total of 32 charges relating to clients living in the private care home.

It comes after the Daily Echo exclusively revealed how the 34-room home was raided by police from the public protection unit investigating allegations made by health professionals.

They came to light following the deaths of six residents, but following lengthy investigations police last night confirmed there was no evidence to suggest those deaths were as a result of ill treatment or neglect.

Detectives swooped together with representatives from Southampton City Council, which pays for nine of the care beds at The Briars, in October.

A week later it was shut down after health chiefs were granted an emergency court order and in December last year directors put the company into voluntary liquidation following a meeting with creditors.

Tonight owner Annette Hopkins, 63, from Thorold Road, Bitterne Park, and manager Margaret Priest, 54, of Lydgate Green, Hightown, were charged with 16 offences each concerning neglect and ill treatment of residents.

The home has since been put into liquidation.

Hopkins and Priest will appear before Southampton magistrates on Tuesday, January 20.