Care home worker’s cruel whip attack
DEMENTIA SUFFERER HIT WITH TOWEL
A CRUEL carer whipped an elderly dementia sufferer with a towel and sanitary bags in a shocking attack.
Linda Hatton was employed to look after vulnerable people at a care home but abused her position with a disgraceful outburst which left the victim distressed.
A court heard she verbally abused and assaulted him while working at Covent House care home, in Birtley, Gateshead.
Hatton, 58, of, Carlton Street, Ferryhill, County Durham, denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty by a jury of causing ill-treatment to a person in her care.
Sentencing her to three months, suspended for 18 months, at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Tim Gittins said there was “compelling” evidence against Hatton from two former colleagues, whom he said should be commended for reporting it.
The judge told her: “You shouted verbal abuse at him and whipped him with a towel and sanitary bags.
“You were under a duty as a carer to behave appropriately, carefully and conscientiously to people in your care.
“You and others in your position need to realise how seriously the public and the courts take carers ill-treating vulnerable people.”
The judge added: “You lost your patience that morning in a short-lived but painful and distressing manner for (the victim) and for his family, and others whose relatives were entrusted in such care homes who expect the upmost professionalism, whatever the circumstances.
“This was not just a verbal assault but a physical assault. There has been no contrition, no remorse, no admission at your trial.”
Judge Gittins said grandmother Hatton had “arrogantly” refused to accept it was her fault, blaming others and saying people were lying.
He told her: “It was by no means unusual for someone to be obstructive with their personal hygiene care.
“You had received some training and had vast experience of how you should handle it.
“You demonstrated you were frustrated, short-tempered and in a rush and reacted in that violent and aggressive way towards him.”
The judge said he was sure there were many times when Hatton had not reacted in such a way to such behaviour, which was uncontrollable due to the victim’s condition.
Judge Gittins said he acknowledged that Hatton’s role was relatively poorly paid, with long hours, adding: “Only latterly the attention of the nation has come to the vital role carers play in this pandemic and they have been rightly praised for the thankless task they have engaged in.”
But he said Hatton had left a previous job “because of similar difficulties”, although she was not convicted of any other wrongdoing.
“It’s indicative you had not realised the caring profession was not for you,” the judge told her.
The court heard she had worked as a carer for years but has now lost that role and will not be allowed to work in the industry again.
Hatton was told she had come close to being locked up and only her previous good character and the pandemic saved her from going straight to prison.
Fiona Lamb, defending, said: “She has no previous convictions and had lived her entire life without coming into contact with the police.
“The offence is unpleasant but she still denies it.”
The court heard Hatton is now working at the Radieson Hotel and has no plans to work in care again.