The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
CARER’S ABUSE LEFT WOMAN, 85, SCREAMING
Man jailed for ill-treatment of dementia patient
A carer who ‘systematically abused’ an 85-year-old bedbound dementia sufferer has been locked up for more than two years. Maurice Campbell slapped his victim round the head, twisted her wrists and fingers and verbally abused the womanin her own home.
On Tuesday he was jailed for 28 months at Peterborough Crown Court.
Campbell (56) of Illston Place, Peterborough was only caught after the 85-year-old’s daughter installed CCTV cameras in the bedroom, and saw the vile abuse that occurred between March and May this year.
Some of the footage was shown during the court hearin g-and Campbell was unable to watch the images show-non the screen, keeping his head bowed throughout.
The CCTV footage has been released by police, and shows Campbell hitting the woman while she is in her bed. Campbell- aformerchairman of the Welland Residents Association - is also seen to bend the woman;s arms back, cauring her to scream in agony.
Judge Sean Enright said: “Looking after an adult with dementia is one of the tough- est tasks anyone can ever do.”
He added: “This was assaults, rough handling, and shouting abuse. On more than one occasion she was slapped.
“It was systematic ill treatment of an old person sustained over some weeks.”
DC Les Ellmer, who investigated, said :“This case involved some of the most shocking abuse of an elderly and vulnerable victim that I have come across in my career and today’ s sentencing reflects that.
“Due to her dementia, the victim struggles to communicate and could not provide a witness statement so without the CCTV in her bedroom, no one would have been any the wiser to the abuse she was receiving.”
The court was told the victim did not suffer any serious injuries in the attacks.
Campbell had pleaded guilty to ill-treating and wilfully neglecting the victim at a previous hearing.
Agma Khan, defending, told the court Campbell was ‘disgusted’ by his actions, and was of previous positive character.
Campbell’s wife, Deborah (57) will be sentenced in January for the same offence.
She also pleaded guilty, but Judge Enright said more reports were needed.
The video can be viewed at www.peterboroughtoday.co.uknews/crime