Carer abused elderly residents at home in Leeds

Christopher Horncastle, 41, was given a suspended prison sentence yesterday over the spate of offences against residents aged between 70 and 90 at Vivian House, Morley.

Leeds Crown Court heard Horncastle was eventually reported to the police by his own colleagues who witnessed the offences at the privately-run care home after noting a change in his attitude.

Horncastle, of Askey Crescent, Morley, pleaded guilty to four offences of neglect of a person lacking capacity.

Sam Andrews, prosecuting, told the court Horncastle had admitted to hitting or “clipping” victims on the head in two of the offences.

Horncastle was arrested in March last year and initially denied the offences. He claimed his colleagues and the victims were telling lies about him.

The court heard Horncastle has a previous conviction for stealing from someone who was in the care of a the local authority.

Nicholas De La Pore, mitigating, said Horncastle was under stress during the period of offending and was sorry for what he had done.

The barrister said Horncastle also suffered from post traumatic stress disorder as a result of a head injury he suffered when he was the victim of an attack when he was younger.

Judge Paula Tyler gave Horncastle a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. and made him the subject of a two-year supervision order.

The judge said: “Those residents at Vivian House were entitled to expect a proper level of care. You have betrayed the trust not only of the residents and their families, but the care home, your employers and society at large.