Care Worker Guilty of Bullying Pensioners

A care worker was yesterday convicted of bullying residents in a nursing home dementia unit. Ken Bowie, 43, pushed elderly residents, pulled an old woman’s hair, and swore aggressively at confused dementia patients. When one confused woman – known for walking about in tears and asking helplessly “where will I go?” – tapped him on the shoulder in a corridor, he replied “Mary, go to f***”.

When another dementia patient, Marty McNee, 85, began asking where her long-dead husband Adam was, Bowie tugged her hair and shouted at her, “He’s away sh***ing Eve.”

The incidents happened at the Barleystone Nursing Home in Westquarter, Falkirk, between 7 March, 2005 – when Bowie joined the staff – and 31 May the same year, when he was sacked.

Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that Bowie’s actions reduced pensioners to tears. Bowie, of Bellvue Street, Falkirk, denied acting aggressively towards residents.

Sentencing was deferred for reports.