2012: JUDGE CONDEMNS CARE WORKERS JAILED FOR ABUSING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS
A judge denounced the disgraceful conduct of two care workers from Bolton Council as he sentenced them for mistreating vulnerable adults with severe disabilities in their care.During the hearing at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Robert Atherton stated that both individuals had betrayed those they were entrusted to care for.
He remarked, “They were as vulnerable as newborn infants, entirely dependent on their carers.
Why they acted as they did remains unclear.
The moment they shifted from caring to such abusive behavior, they must have undergone a significant change.” Ann Leach, 48, of Piggott Street, Farnworth, was convicted of nine counts of ill treatment of a person lacking capacity and received a 21-month prison sentence.
Joanne Robinson, 47, of Bolton Road, Kearsley, was found guilty of five similar charges and sentenced to 15 months.
Both women, with no prior criminal records and decades of experience as carers in Bolton, were also Banned from working with vulnerable adults for life.
The verdict was delivered after a unanimous jury decision on June 1, following a 16-day trial.
Testimonies in court revealed the disturbing abuse inflicted upon residents in a Worsley Road, Farnworth facility.
One resident, 44-year-old Yvette Smith, who has a rare chromosomal disorder causing near blindness, incontinence, and self-harm tendencies, was targeted most heavily.
The carers used towels to confine her to her room, strapped her into another resident’s chair forcibly, used offensive language, and Robinson was convicted of pushing her and swearing at her.
Leach was found guilty of dousing her with cold water, spraying her in the face with an aerosol, pinning her against a wall, and acting aggressively.
She was also convicted of abusing a male resident with severe cerebral palsy who was wheelchair-bound.
Judge Atherton commented, “You betrayed her and her mother.
Yvette’s family was fortunate for many years to care for her.
Sadly, when parents grow old and can no longer look after a child with severe disabilities, they must entrust others, which is a profound act of trust.” He added to Leach, “One of the few joys Yvette had was bathing, waiting patiently for the water to cool before leaving the tub.
You deprived her of that and poured cold water over her.
Your conduct towards Yvette was outrageous.” During the trial, it was also revealed that Robinson, a single mother of two and caregiver to her five-month-old granddaughter, has Multiple Sclerosis.
Leach’s young granddaughter died during the court proceedings, and her 16-year-old son has been deeply affected, currently undergoing counseling.
