Jeremy Mogford, the founder of the Browns Brasserie restaurant chain, and his sister, Sarah Pickering, are on trial accused of murdering their 100-year-old mother, Pamela. Prosecutors allege the siblings administered a morphine overdose to hasten their mother's death in February 2022. Both deny murder, stating they acted out of mercy due to her pain.
Paramedics had informed Mrs. Mogford's carer that she was unlikely to survive much longer after suffering a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm at her £1.8 million cottage in Buckinghamshire. She died in the early hours of the following day, with her death initially attributed to old age.
However, police discovered text messages sent by Pickering the night before her mother's death, including one stating, "I am actually killing her." In messages to friends, Pickering also wrote about giving their mother more morphine and that her brother, Jeremy, had given permission. Prosecutors contend that a message stating Mrs. Mogford was "fast asleep" indicated she was not in pain when further morphine was administered.
Jurors heard from Mrs. Mogford's carer, Agnes Pawlikowska, who described the elderly woman as appearing "unpresent" and having unclear speech the day before she died. Ms. Pawlikowska testified that she would have administered morphine out of pity if asked but did not recall doing so herself and always recorded medications. She also noted that Mrs. Mogford's GP administered morphine injections on two separate visits on the day of her death, asking the carer and family members to wait outside the room.
Paramedic David Worsfold, who attended to Mrs. Mogford at her home, stated that ideally, a witness should be present when administering a controlled drug like morphine. Mogford and Pickering also face an alternative charge of attempted murder.
Pickering also allegedly made comments in the presence of others, including "for f***'s sake mother, hurry up and die." In further texts, she wrote, "Never killed anyone before, but I have often thought about it. I shall wait until Foyle is over then I can go to my grave knowing I have topped someone. It's certainly on my bucket list."
Mogford, 79, established the first Browns Brasserie in Brighton in 1973 and later sold the chain for £35 million in 1996. Mrs. Mogford's husband, Peter, died in 2015. The trial is ongoing.