'Bullies' pair jailed for care neglect

JAILED... VICTORIA JOHNSON

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AN OLDHAM carer and her colleague were branded 'bullies' by a judge as they were jailed for tormenting vulnerable dementia patients at a care home.

Victoria Johnson (23), of Cowlishaw Lane, Shaw, and Shauna Higgin (20), of Eliot Walk, Middleton, have been banned from ever working with vulnerable people or children after being jailed for ill-treatment or neglect of people in their care at Ashbourne House Nursing Home in Middleton.

An investigation was launched after a whistleblower handed over images and footage which showed the pair mistreating 'therapy dolls' used by dementia patients.

Judge Andrew Lowcock dubbed the two 'bullies' as they sobbed in the dock at Minshull Street Crown Court. Jailing Higgin for 13 months in youth detention and Johnson for 12 months, he said: "Your job was to look after adults suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia - two debilitating illnesses.

"You treated some of them with a total lack of respect and dignity. You treated them, as the butt of your jokes. Your behaviour bullied and your victims could not fight back."

Prosecuted

The pair burst into tears as they were jailed, with their families watching on from the public gallery.

They faced identical charges when they first appeared before magistrates - four counts of a care worker ill-treating or wilfully neglecting an individual.

They later pleaded guilty to two counts apiece, relating to three Ashbourne House residents. The other charge was left to lie on file.

It is believed to be one of the first cases to be prosecuted under new legislation brought in last year targeted specifically at care workers who mistreat patients or residents.

Pictures, taken last December, showed a 'comfort doll' hanging by its neck, submerged in a fish tank and in a tumble dryer.

Another image showed Higgin snatching a doll from a resident's hand, while a video showed her hurling a doll at the floor, yards from an elderly resident, before shouting 'die baby, die'.

Some vulnerable dementia patients, who 'look after' the dolls as part of their treatment, are said to think of them as 'real babies' - and suffered as a result of Higgin and Johnson's cruel jokes.

Within hours of being presented with the evidence, bosses at the home suspended Johnson and Higgin and reported them to police.