Sydney aged-care nurse pleads guilty to murder

An aged-care nurse has pleaded guilty to murdering eleven elderly patients under his care by setting fire to a Sydney nursing home in November 2011. Roger Dean, 37, entered the 11 guilty pleas on the first day of his murder trial in the Supreme Court on Monday. He also pleaded guilty to eight counts of causing grievous bodily harm to residents of the Quakers Hill nursing home. Family members reportedly shed tears in the packed Sydney court this morning, and one woman left the room sobbing. Three elderly residents died during the fire, and a further eight passed away from injuries afterwards. The fatal blaze caused public outrage and sparked inquiries about fire safety systems in nursing homes, more thorough police checks for staff, and appropriate staff-patient ratios. Local media reported that the victims' families have remained in contact since their Nov. 18 nightmare. A rebuilding project will include advanced fire-prevention devices, and a memorial garden dedicated to those lost.