Aberdeen A care-home company continued to bill a local council for the care of 14 residents even though they had died months earlier.

Southern Cross Healthcare Group, the largest care provider in Britain, has admitted collecting £60,000 from debt-ridden Aberdeen City Council over eight months. The company, which has paid back the money, admitted that it had failed to inform the council of the deaths of 14 residents at six care homes between last August and April. The mistake was discovered after bills arrived for the care of the dead grandfather of deputy council leader Kevin Stewart and the council began investigations.

A council spokeswoman said there had been no criminal intent on the part of Southern Cross and put it down to an “unfortunate mistake”. Last month the council was told to make £49.7million of savings after a critical Accounts Commission report.

Mr Stewart, an SNP councillor, said that it was an “immensely upsetting” error. Southern Cross apologised to the families affected.

Times Recommends

• Swine flu vaccine for all as drug rushed through
• Artificial sperm and the race to build a baby
• BBC jets out stars to tout for prizes