Care home owners jailed over abuse of elderly dementia sufferer

By The Press Association5th October 2015News EnglandAbuse, Care Homes, News England, North West, Older People

Two care home owners and an employee have received jail sentences for ill-treating a 99-year-old dementia sufferer who was immersed in a scalding hot bath.

Indrannee Pumbien, 59, her husband Meghadeven, 64, and care assistant Niphawan Berry, 42, failed to seek immediate treatment for Margaret Wheatley.

Mrs Wheatley suffered extensive burns to her legs and feet which were consistent with contact with water between 46C and 50C for up to five minutes.

In August, Indrannee Pumbien was also found guillty at Preston Crown Court of force-feeding Mrs Wheatley and another resident at the Briarwood Rest Home in Lostock Hall, Preston.

Today, she was jailed for 18 months while her husband was imprisoned for nine months. Berry was jailed for five months.

Police began their investigation into the home in June last year when they were made aware of a complaint about the treatment of a resident and eventually arrested all three defendants from Preston.

Detective Chief Inspector Jill Johnston of Lancashire Police said: “Today’s sentences mark the end of a long and complex inquiry into the ill treatment of residents at Briarwood Care Home (pictured).

“We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and our priority from the outset of the investigation was to ensure the safety of patients within the home. We don’t believe that the behaviour of Mr and Mrs Pumbien and Niphawan Berry reflects the behaviour of the majority of staff who worked at Briarwood and the care home is now under completely new ownership with the levels of care provided to patients carefully monitored.

“I am pleased that these defendants have been brought to account for their appalling behaviour towards the victims. They were the very people who were trusted to care for the residents and were supposed to look after them, but instead they abused and mistreated them.

“I would like to reiterate our thanks to all the witnesses who came forward in this case. With their help we have been able to put a stop to any further mistreatment and the defendants have been brought to justice for their actions.

“To learn that their loved ones were mistreated by these defendants must have been extremely upsetting for the families of the victims. I hope the fact that the defendants have now been jailed and proceedings have concluded can allow the victims’ families to move forward with their lives.”