Three former care home workers - who left residents to suffer - escape jail terms

Three former care home workers have been given suspended sentences after they were caught on a hidden camera mistreating residents.
The offenders appeared at Mansfield magistrates' court.The offenders appeared at Mansfield magistrates' court.
The offenders appeared at Mansfield magistrates' court.

Rebecca King, 32, Teresa Cutts, 50 and Joanne Hardstaff, 39, admitted charges of ill-treatment or neglect as a care worker at Brookside House Care Home in Jacksdale when they appeared at Mansfield magistrates' court yesterday.

The investigation by Nottinghamshire Police was launched after the force received a complaint from the daughter of one of the residents of the care home who had placed a covert camera in her mother's bedroom after becoming concerned about her care.

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The resident, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and dementia, was filmed on a number of occasions being drag-lifted into her bed, instead of using the equipment, which left her at risk of injury.

She was not turned in the night despite it being in her care plan because she had bed sores.

And she was not allowed to use the toilet and left in a wet incontinence pad despite asking to be changed.

The camera also captured an off-camera incident via audio of another resident who was refused help despite repeatedly asking to go to the toilet - and then being verbally abused when he soiled himself.

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The first offences, by King and Cutts, happened on the night shift of April 12 to 13 last year.

The other offences, by King and Hardstaff, happened during the night shift of May 14 to 15 last year.

King admitted three offences, Cutts admitted two offences and Hardstaff admitted one offence.

King, of Main Road, Jacksdale, was sentenced to 36 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

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Cutts, of Belvoir Way, Somercotes, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Hardstaff, of Casson Street, Ironville, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

The care home has now closed.

Detective Constable Victoria Greaves, of Nottinghamshire Police's public protection, said: "These were vulnerable victims who needed the help of care workers - people they should be able to trust.

"But sadly instead of being treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, they were neglected and left to suffer.

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"Thanks to the vigilance of one of the victim's family members they have now faced justice.

"We treat abuse seriously and would encourage anyone who suspects someone is being abused to contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

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