Two care workers sentenced to 30 months in jail for ill treatment towards residents

Two care workers have been sentenced for physically and mentally abusing residents at a care home. Following the investigation, Riddlesden Care home, located in Keighley West Yorkshire has now been shut down.

Helen Burridge, the manager of the care home, aged 66, abused four residents whereas Amy Dickinson, a senior care assistant at the home aged 24, abused up to 7 residents. The abuse was reported in December 2019 amid concerns by an employee at the home. Both women were sentenced on March 7th at Bradford Crown Court to 30 months in jail. 

The abuse was described as ‘humiliating’ and ‘degrading’ treatment. 

The Court heard details of the abuse by the prosecution. Prosecutor, Ashleigh Metcalfe spoke of how on one occasion both Burridge and Dickinson called an 84-year-old resident at the home a derogatory term for a disabled person, as she had difficulty eating. They also called her an ‘idiot’ and behaved aggressively if she took too long to eat. 

On another occasion a former employee at the home found that two bed bound residents, a 90-year-old woman and a 94-year-old man, were left heavily soiled in their room. She described how she faced a ‘horrible rancid smell’ upon entering the room. 

Dickinson was also accused of destroying medication for a resident by dissolving it in boiling water or throwing it in the bin. Further to this, Dickinson hesitated to call 999 for this same resident and when she did, the woman was rushed to the hospital where she died a week later. 

Bradford District Police Detective Constable, Polly Churchman has said, ‘we welcome the sentences handed down today to Burridge and Dickinson. These elderly residents should have been in a place of safety and should have been well cared for. The care they provided was appalling and fell way short of the high standards you would expect in a facility like this. 

This has been a lengthy investigation, and I would like to pay tribute to the elderly residents and their families for their patience throughout the process and I hope today’s sentence can give them some closure.’ 

Jordans Solicitors – helping victims of abuse claim compensation.

If you have been a victim of physical and/or sexual abuse and would like to speak to one of our Specialist Abuse Lawyers in confidence, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation Claim and/or civil damages claim.

Our Sexual Abuse Compensation Team can be contacted by telephoning 08009555094 or 03303001103.