A DAUGHTER has been sentenced for killing her own mother in a "‘truly tragic case."

Cheryl Banks, 60, killed her 89 year-old Winifred Grover mother who was suffering with dementia and Alzheimers.

A forensic post-mortem found the most likely cause of death was that Winifred had been smothered.

Banks told police, she experienced mental health problems for some time and that she loved her mother very much.

The woman was found unresponsive at the home they shared in Lenmore Avenue, Grays on 21 June last year and, sadly, was pronounced dead.

Prior to officers arriving, Banks had disclosed to member of her family that she had killed her mother.

She was charged with Winifred’s murder but on March 1 was found not guilty at Basildon Crown Court.

She had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility and at the same court today she was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years.

Banks was also handed a 90-day rehabilitation order.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This has been a truly tragic case and my team and I have been left really saddened.

“Winifred Grover was an elderly woman who required constant care.

“At the time of Winifred’s death, the jury found Cheryl Banks’ mental state was such that she was not properly in control of her actions.

“Every part of this case has brought heartache for the family and I want to share my condolences, and those of my team, with them.”