Patient was abused by care worker
A CARE worker was caught abusing a vulnerable patient after colleagues set up a hidden camera.
Former Merthyr Tydfil FC footballer Peter Jones alerted suspicion among fellow workers after locking himself in the elderly woman’s room on a number of occasions.
One of the staff members hid a camera in a vase before Jones came on shift.
Care staff were then horrified when they watched back the footage and saw him groping the woman.
South Wales Police said 63-year-old Jones carried out “the most sickening of acts”.
Detective Constable Bethan Porter, who led the investigation, said: “I am in no doubt that he chose his victim because of her vulnerability, knowing that she would not be able to speak out and report him.
“His actions have devastated and traumatised the victim’s family and also those who work at the care home who now have to deal with the effects of his crime.”
Jones was arrested in June and suspended from his job while the allegations were investigated.
He later appeared at Merthyr Crown Court on Tuesday, October 13.
Court officials confirmed that he pleaded guilty to four counts of committing sexual offences against a vulnerable woman.
Jones, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. He will also have to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
The former semi-professional footballer used to play as a full back for Merthyr Tydfil in the 1980s. He played in the non league club’s biggest game – their shock 2-1 win over Italian Serie A side Atlanta in 1987.
He later became an official ambassador for Merthyr Town FC – the phoenix club formed after Merthyr Tydfil FC was liquidated.
Police said Jones’ previously good reputation was now in tatters.
DC Porter added: “We welcome (the court’s) sentence which reflects the severity and nature of the offence and hope that it brings some closure for all those affected by Peter Jones’ actions.”