Solar Centre: Abuse Carers Jailed
Two care assistants found guilty of mistreating severely disabled patients in their care have been jailed.
James Hinds and Susan Murphy humiliated and assaulted vulnerable adults attending the Solar Centre at St Catherine’s Hospital in Doncaster.
A jury had earlier found Hinds, 59, and Murphy, 43, guilty of a total of 25 counts of ill-treating outpatients
Hinds and Murphy were each given jail sentences of two years and nine months at Sheffield Crown Court.
At their trial in Sheffield in May, Hinds and Murphy were found guilty of ill-treating 12 different outpatients between them at the centre.
Hinds was acquitted of a further nine charges and Murphy was cleared on five counts.
Care assistant Julie Burge, 48, and physiotherapy assistant Michael Barnard, 50, were cleared of all charges.
‘Appalling abuse’
All those abused were extremely vulnerable adults with limited communication abilities and a range of physical disabilities including blindness.
Many of the attacks involved patients being slapped and hit around the head.
Hinds threw one man into a wheelchair, dragged another to the toilet and hit another with a microphone, a jury heard.
Murphy locked one woman in a cupboard, the court was told.
The attacks happened between January 2005 and March 2007.
Police were called in after a member of staff left in March 2007 and made formal allegations about the mistreatment of patients.
After the pair were convicted, prosecutors said they were guilty of “an appalling abuse of trust”.
The Solar Centre is run by Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH).
Same Difference 
Reblogged this on HUMAN RIGHTS & POLITICAL JOURNAL.
LikeLike