Carer who slapped 90-year-old man is spared jail
A CARE worker who slapped an elderly dementia patient has been handed a suspended prison sentence.
Nicola Hoole hit the 90-year-old resident at Pine Meadows Care Home, in Leek, after he lashed out at her as she gave him a bath.
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ACCUSED: Nicola Hoole outside court last month.
The 45-year-old told colleagues she had slapped him to calm him down, but when police became involved she changed her story, saying she had 'caught him accidentally'.
She was convicted of assault by North Staffordshire Magistrates following a trial, and was yesterday told the offence was so serious she must receive a custodial sentence.
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During Hoole's trial last month, the court heard she and colleague Katarzyna Bukovska had taken the resident for a bath on April 27 last year.
Staff knew he was prone to aggressive behaviour when workers attended to his personal care.
Miss Bukovska recalled how the patient had punched Hoole, prompting her to slap him on the back of the neck and say 'Stop it'.
Another member of staff, Alison Tomkins, and her manager, staff nurse Adele Donohue, told the court that Hoole had told them she had slapped the resident to calm him down.
She was suspended from work and police were called in. She was charged with assault despite claiming any contact was accidental.
Kate Rogers, mitigating, said: "Miss Hoole maintains this was an accident. She has worked in the care system for 10 years in three different establishments and has never had any reports of causing harm to residents.
"She is suffering from shame in being connected with an assault on a vulnerable individual and said she would never intentionally hurt an old man with dementia."
Magistrates handed Hoole, of Springfield Court, Leek, a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months.
She must also complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and pay £600 court costs and £100 compensation.
David Tomlinson, chairman of the bench, said: "Vulnerable persons must be protected. The aggravating factors are so serious that it crosses the custody threshold."
A spokesman for Four Seasons Health Care, which owns Pine Meadows, said Hoole had been sacked.
She said: "Staff at the home and in our wider organisation have been distressed by this case and feel let down that a colleague could behave in this way to an elderly resident entrusted into their care.
"When our staff raised concerns in line with our whistle-blowing procedures, the manager promptly suspended Nicola Hoole and notified the resident's family, local authority safeguarding team and police.
"It is our policy that any suggestion of inappropriate behaviour is notified to the authorities so that it can be properly investigated.
"The home co-operated fully with the investigation and provided evidence leading to the conviction of Ms Hoole."
Comments
by Robnoxious
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 5:51PM
“Sorry, didn't know it was the Harplands website”
by Redtone
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 5:41PM
“Called ridiculous by someone (a Stokie, presumably) who writes factory workers off as 'scumbags'... incredible!”
by leglessharry
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 5:25PM
“Agree with you Shelton Girl. 'Care' work is the new factory work - too many scumbags doing it for a wage. There is no care. It's something this nation should be ashamed of.
Redtone - people red arrow you because you're ridiculous.”
by Redtone
Sunday, September 02 2012, 11:45PM
“I gave you a red arrow then, even though I broadly agree with you.
Pointless. A moron's charter. Was never needed when the Sentinel had a proper website.”
by camband
Sunday, September 02 2012, 11:31PM
“I think the 'arrow approval/disapproval' system was introduced to 'spice it up' -Encouraging those to get involved -who may not have the wherewithal to put into words why they like or dislike a poster's point of view.
Brings a degree of 'inclusiveness' to the table that wouldn't necessarily be there.
If one gives an opinion on any subject, and a considered opinion at that, then it shouldn't affect you one way or aother how many people agree or disagree with you. That's their prerogative.
I've seen some comments on here which have attracted over 30 green arrows -yet I would have given it a 'red' myself... and vice versa. Nowt so queer as folk.”
by Redtone
Sunday, September 02 2012, 6:42PM
“End the red arrows!
I'm sick of morons telling me I'm wrong, without actually telling me I'm wrong!”
by sheltongirl
Sunday, September 02 2012, 6:04PM
“Carers in nursing homes are paid very poorly, and the opportunities for training are few and far between. You are lucky if you get someone who genuinely cares and enjoyed working with the elderly, but many people who care leave because they cannot stand by and watch how older, vulnerable people are treated. Caring for someone with dementia is really hard work, and staff should be educated and paid properly to ensure we have the best people in the service.”
by Redtone
Saturday, September 01 2012, 7:01PM
“Modify the pathetic CRB system.
Nobody is saying sex offenders should care for kids or the vulnerable... but when someone like me with a conviction over a decade ago reads stories like this week in, week out. Makes you wonder... They only end up on this stupid register when they're found out. Another industry feeding itself, like Health and Safety.
Gotta have something for your stupid daughters who can only tap keyboards and answer phones to do.”
by leglessharry
Saturday, September 01 2012, 6:39PM
“Pure dog filth.
This piece of excrement should have been scraped from the streets and slung into the *******. She represents everything that is wrong in a society where prisoners are more highly thought of and better fed than pensioners.”