Skip to content

Woman charged over 1978 death of girl, 5

Getty Images New Scotland Yard stands in front of a modern glass entrance and stone building, which houses the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police.Getty Images
The Met Police launched an investigation into the death in 2022

A 66-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter over the death of a young girl in south London in 1978.

Janice Nix is accused of killing five-year-old Andrea Bernard, who was assaulted in Thornton Heath on 6 June 1978, the Metropolitan Police said.

Andrea, who police say was known to Ms Nix, died from her injuries in a specialist burns unit on 13 July of that year. The Met said a report was made in September 2022 and an investigation was launched.

Ms Nix, from Clapham, has also been charged with child cruelty in relation to alleged offences involving another child, who was aged eight at the time. The 66-year-old is due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]