Melissa Swift, 23, West Bromwich, has admitted 3 charges of attempted murder and 2 counts of making threats to kill.

Birmingham Crown Court heard that Swift added bleach to drinks bottles in a communal fridge at Goldfield Court, a care home in West Bromwich. She was arrested after 25 residents and 7 staff fell ill and were taken to hospital.

She also sent anonymous letters to two staff members threatening to kill them.

Adrian Keeling QC, prosecuting, said “It’s the case she intended to poison three of her colleagues at Goldfield Court, and made threats to kill on two other individuals.”

Detective Chief Inspector Michaela Kerr said “Melissa deceived her colleagues and hatched a plan to cause ill to those she worked with as a result of some malice, for which we have never truly discovered the cause.”

Swift will be sentenced on April 17. She was remanded in custody.

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