Care staff filmed abuse ofresidents

Robert Sutcliffe

THREE care workers who filmed themselves bullying and taunting a woman aged 99 and a man aged 86 have been told by a judge that they face jail sentences.

Jolene Hullah, 21, Tanzeela Safdaz, 23, and Paul Poole, 26 pleaded guilty to “ill treating persons who lack capacity” at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

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The two victims were Edith Askham, who has since died at the age of 100, and Kenneth Costigan, both residents of the Dales Bupa Nursing Home in Woodhall Road, Thornbury, Bradford.

It is understood both victims were dementia sufferers.

The Yorkshire Post understands that Hullah’s cousin discovered the mobile phone footage and was so outraged she went straight to the police.

Following an investigation the trio attended a disciplinary hearing and were sacked.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Sharp said of the offences: “This is a case in which all three defendants filmed abuse of elderly residents in their care.

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“I don’t propose to play the footage in court.” He said instead he would invite the judge to “view it in his chambers”.

Ilyas Patel, representing Safdaz, said: “The footage is particularly disturbing and this is undoubtedly a case where it needs to be handled with a great deal of sensitivity.”

Recorder David Hatton QC told them: “I am not able to sentence any of you today. Pre-sentence reports need to be made and so I shall adjourn sentence until December 13.

“On any view this is an appalling case and you can expect sentences of imprisonment.”

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Safdaz of Cumberland Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty to a charge of ill-treating Mrs Askham on December 12, 2008.

Her co-defendants, Poole, of Upper Rushton Road, Bradford Moor, and Hullah, of Langdale Road, Ravenscliffe, Bradford, pleaded guilty to a second charge of ill-treating Mr Costigan on February 19, 2009 – a charge to which Safdaz pleaded not guilty and which was accepted by the Crown.

A third charge of ill-treating Mr Costigan, the most serious of the offences, occurred on February 22, 2009 and all three defendants pleaded guilty to it. All three defendants were granted unconditional bail.

Afterwards, reviewing lawyer Clare Tripcony, from CPS West Yorkshire said: “The Crown Prosecution Service takes the criminal mistreatment of older people very seriously.

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“Targeting someone because they are older and vulnerable, especially when the perpetrator is in a position of trust, makes the offence even more grave.

“This case involves the appalling ill-treatment of two elderly and vulnerable care home residents.

“During the course of their ill treatment, the residents had their dignity further undermined when the three defendants, Safdar, Hullah and Poole, filmed their actions on their mobile phones and saved the footage.

“This callous disregard for the vulnerability and dignity of these two elderly people is truly shocking.

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Bupa regional director Tracey Fletcher said: “The welfare of our residents is always our first priority and after this incident in 2009 we apologised to the residents concerned and their families.

“Immediately we discovered these people’s actions, they were suspended and later dismissed. We informed the local adult support and protection teams and the police, and have actively supported their prosecution.

“We remain determined to ensure that the residents in our care are protected.”

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