By Simon Wright And Martyn Halle
6/07/2008
A care home nurse who subjected defenceless pensioners to a horrifying reign of terror has escaped jail despite a string of sadistic attacks.
Nina Strange, 48, dipped a toothbrush into bathwater which 72-year-old dementia sufferer Doreen Walsh had accidentally soiled - then used it to wash her mouth.
Strange also hit an 88-year-old wheelchair-bound woman on the the head, twice hit an 81-year-old man on the head and pulled an 81-year-old woman's hair.
Widow Doreen - victim of her most shocking abuse - died of a heart attack eight weeks after being admitted to Rutland Manor Care Home, Ilkeston, Derbys.
The incidents only came to light when a trainee bravely blew the whistle, despite Strange's threats.
Strange was last week convicted at Derby Crown Court of five counts of ill-treatment and given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to do 200 hours' community service. Judge Andrew Hamilton described her as a "vile and unpleasant person" and said her victims were "defenceless people" whose families had trusted her with their care.
The home has been investigated three times in three years over the alleged mistreatment of residents, most of whom have Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia.
In 2004 nurse Dudu Bhembe failed to properly examine a resident who had fallen and injured his leg.
In 2006 nurse Pascale Scott was accused of causing bodily harm to resident Margaret Palmer. The case was halted because of lack of evidence. The court was then told Scott had been struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council for abusing patients at a home in Cornwall. Rutland Manor's operations director Edward Munslow said: "We are very disappointed Strange was not jailed. But we hope the judgement sends out the signal that behaviour like this will not be tolerated." The Commission for Social Care, which inspects care homes, said: "We have been working with management to ensure better screening."
Last year pressure group Action Against Elder Abuse found in a study covering nine local councils that 600 reports of possible abuse had been made. Just three cases went to police and no prosecutions were brought.
The charity's deputy chief executive Gary Martin said: "It is incredibly difficult to get cases to court. Children are more believed than older people. The actions of Nina Strange were horrendous."
There is no register of care-home workers, so they cannot be struck off or stopped from getting a job at a different home if they are sacked.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE
Action Against Elder Abuse wants:
- A national register for staff, who will be struck off if they commit abuse.
- A code of practice on recruitment and checks.
- Training for care home workers.
- Specialist police to investigate allegations.
- A campaign encouraging staff to report abuse.
SOURCE: Sunday Mirror UK
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