A carer caught on camera assaulting an 87-year-old man and calling residents at a home “f*cking vegetables” has walked free from court.
The victim’s daughter Pauline Sykes, 60, installed the spy equipment in her frail father’s room at Laburnam Court Nursing Home, in Salford, after she became concerned over his sudden change in mood.
And she was horrified when she reviewed the footage after six weeks and saw Brian Cox assaulting the elderly dementia-sufferer. Cox was caught throwing the victim onto his bed using “inappropriate force” and shoving him towards the bathroom.
Cox can also be heard saying, “I am sick of this f*cking place, f*cking vegetables!”
After watching the shocking footage, Sykes contacted the care home manager and Cox was arrested and immediately suspended. He was later sacked from the care home.
Sparing him jail, District Judge Sanders told the carer he should be “thoroughly ashamed” of his “repugnant” behaviour.
At Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Cox was handed a 15 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months after he admitted two counts of assault. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £165 in costs.
Judge Sanders said:
There can be few more repugnant offences than those which involve the abuse of elderly and vulnerable people by those upon who they rely for care. The victim was in that care home for his care and you abused the trust which he and others put in you. I have seen the results and heard the results.
Clearly this is something out of character. During the course of the footage, which I have listened to, you express frustration about the conditions at the care home and I have no doubt that that was an underlying cause. It certainly does not justify taking out that frustration upon those who you care for. This was a case where you roughly handled him. Roughly – and thankfully – not more than that.
You should be thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour.
The judge added that it’s highly likely that Cox will now be barred from working with vulnerable adults in the future.
Speaking after the ruling, Pauline Sykes said:
I was so very angry at what Cox did but the sentence is what I expected. I wanted him to go to jail so he could be frightened like my dad is. My dad and I are very close. He is my best mate. I’m so glad I set up the camera so Cox was caught out.
I think all nursing homes should have CCTV. CCTV should be brought in now. Not only for the care of residents but for the care of carers because they get falsely accused of things all of the time.
