Four health care assistants have been jailed after they were caught on camera abusing and ill-treating an elderly woman in their care.
The 89-year-old suffered from vascular dementia and was non-verbal. She had lived at a Wolverhampton care home for almost a year when her family noticed bruising on her arms and a change in her behaviour. She appeared nervous of being touched.
The family’s worst fears were confirmed after they installed a covert video camera and discovered care assistants verbally and physically abusing their loved one.
The footage filmed over a four-day period in February 2020 showed the elderly woman being roughly handled, hit with a pillow and treated with an utmost lack of dignity and respect.
When the abuse was reported to the home three members of staff were immediately dismissed and three other agency staff were suspended.
After the footage was passed to police for review, two other suspects were identified.
Eight care assistants were charged with ill-treatment and wilful neglect and over the course of two trials at Wolverhampton Crown Court, four were found not guilty and four were found guilty and jailed.
In May this year Ame Tunkara, aged 33 from Prospect Way, Walsall, and Morounranti Adefila, aged 43 from Woodhall Street, Walsall were found guilty and were both sentenced last week (8 Dec) to four months in prison.
A further trial in September saw Danny Ohen, aged 39 from Riley Crescent Wolverhampton, and Bridget Aideyan, aged 49 from Cadle Road, Wolverhampton, found guilty and were sentenced to six months and four months respectively on 14 November.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kathryn Sargent, from the Force’s Adult Care Abuse Investigation Team, said: “This elderly woman sadly died in October and should not have spent any of her remaining years suffering such ill-treatment.
“On sentencing Judge Campbell described the footage as “chilling”. I hope the lady’s family are content that justice has been served.”