Hayling Island care home workers ‘covered up injuries’

Three care home workers have been given suspended jail terms for covering up injuries suffered by a resident.

Marie Abolins, Amy Byrne and Katie Middleton lied after 75-year-old Gloria Smith, who has dementia, was scalded in the shower at Pear Tree Lodge in Hayling Island in Hampshire.

Abolins, 56, admitted making a false statement while her daughter, Byrne, 26, and Middleton, 32, admitted aiding and abetting a false statement.

They must also carry out unpaid work.

None of them was involved in the scalding incident but they lied to cover it up and prevented Ms Smith from receiving treatment for four days, Portsmouth Crown Court heard.

She suffered blisters on her shoulders and body after being given a shower by another worker, Carol Shann, at the home in September 2012.

A district nurse was eventually made aware of Ms Smith’s injuries by a whistleblower but the trio continued to lie and claimed she had spilled tea on herself, the court heard.

Care home manager Abolins, of Harwood Place in Kings Worthy, Winchester, was sentenced to six months, suspended for 12 months, and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Deputy manager Byrne, 26, of the Seafront, Hayling Island, was given a four-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Senior carer Middleton, 32, of Quarely Road, Havant, received a two-month term, suspended for 12 months, and must complete 80 hours of unpaid work.

The women no longer work at the care home.