CARE HOME TORTURER
Shocking moment evil care worker slapped an elderly dementia sufferer, 85, round the head and twisted her wrists and fingers
Maurice Campbell can be seen forcefully handling bed bound Dora Melton as his wife stood by and watched
THIS is the shocking moment a cruel carer was caught on camera abusing an elderly dementia sufferer – as his wife stood by and watched.
Maurice Campbell, 56, was jailed for two years and four months today after CCTV showed him slapping Dora Melton’s head and twisting her wrists and fingers.
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Peterborough Crown Court was shown a compilation of shocking CCTV footage where Campbell, 85, can be seen forcefully handling bed bound Dora as she screamed.
In one video he can be seen trying to ram tablets down Mrs Melton's throat and on further occasions puts his weight on her stomach as she tried to drink.
Mrs Melton, of Peterborough, Cambs., also suffers from Alzheimer's and had been receiving care ever since she was discharged from hospital in April last year.
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Judge Sean Enright said the footage he witnessed was "shocking" and during the video being played he paused and checked with prosecution whether it was too intrusive to be shown in open court.
Sentencing Campbell, he took into account his "previous good character" and read through a letter he had been passed on which showed his "work in the community".
Judge Enright said: "You face a single charge that was the systematic ill treatment of a an elderly person subjected over some weeks.
"The DVD I have seen is quite shocking."
He continued: "The offence conducted involved a breach of trust to the patient and also to the family of the patient."
Addressing Campbell, Judge Enright said: "The letter put before before me shows remorse and there is evidence of previous good character.
"I have been addressed on the guidelines. My starting penalty is three years and six months.
"Taking into account your your good character, you will be sentenced to 28 months imprisonment."
Campbell, of Peterborough, Cambs., had pleaded guilty to one charge of ill treatment and wilful neglect on September 28 at Peterborough Magistrates' Court alongside his wife of nearly 30 years Deborah Campbell, 57.
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Ben Peers, prosecuting, told the court Dora's family installed CCTV when the Campbell's went on holiday as they were worried she might not react well to new care workers.
After they returned, Mrs Melton's family decided to keep the CCTV in place but when they noticed food splashed around the room they decided to look through footage.
Mr Peers said: "When they viewed CCTV footage spanning the previous six weeks or so, they noticed that Mrs Melton had been subjected to a variety of degrees of ill treatment."
He said the "varying degrees of man-handling" included verbal abuse, the twisting of her wrists and fingers and Campbell applying weight to Mrs Melton's stomach in order for her to drink.
The court we also told there were no signs of injury to Mrs Melton but her hands had began to shake due to "stress and anxiety" caused by the treatment.
The court was shown a 20-minute compilation of CCTV footage where Mrs Melton can be heard screaming while she is being fed and her sheets are being changed.
Campbell can be seen in one clip holding Mrs Melton's arms down and in another said "you are being a silly person now pack it in".
He also called Mrs Melton a "stupid woman" and shouted in her face in multiple clips which were taken between March 30 and May 10 this year.
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During the footage being shown in court Campbell kept his head down and didn't watch while his wife sat next to him before she was allowed to leave the dock.
He appeared in a black suit with a blue shirt and tie while his wife wore a cream cardigan and beige top.
Defending him, Miss Asma Khan said Campbell had suicidal thoughts since seeing the footage.
She said: "He understands that he was in charge and had a duty to this vulnerable patient and since this offence has come to light he has been having suicidal thoughts."
A psychiatric report has been ordered for Deborah Campbell, from Peterborough, Cambs., who had stood by and watched as her husband "assaulted" the elderly woman.
Defending her, Nicola Devas said she had learning difficulties and had previously been told "not to question anything" and "not to answer back".
She will be sentenced on January 10 next year.
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