Care worker jailed for abusing dementia patients

A care home worker has been jailed for one year for abusing four residents with dementia.

Malcolm Cramp was convicted of seven counts of ill-treatment under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 involving the dementia patients, all of whom were in their eighties or nineties.

Cramp tied one resident to a chair with a blanket, prevented one victim from getting out of bed by tucking their duvet under the mattress and turned off a light that a resident want to be left on.

Cramp, 52, from Ervins Lock Road, Wigston, was working at Brockshill Woodlands, a care home in Oadby, Leicestershire. He was arrested in January 2010 following an anonymous tip-off to the Care Quality Commission.

“This was a difficult prosecution because the victims were mostly unable to give evidence against Cramp,” said Detective Sergeant Dan Granger, from Leicestershire Constabulary. “However, we persevered and were able to prove the case in front of a jury.”

He added: “I hope this case makes anyone else tempted to abuse elderly and vulnerable people to think again. This was a massive breach of trust.”

After Cramp’s actions came to light, action was taken to safeguard residents at the home by Leicestershire Council, the provider, the CQC and the police.

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