Three care workers at a Bradford nursing home are facing jail sentences for abusing and assaulting two elderly and vulnerable residents and filming their victims’ degradation on mobile phones.

In a case branded by a judge as “appalling”, a woman aged 99 and a man of 86 were taunted, bullied and attacked by the trio.

Jolene Hullah, 21, Tanzeela Safdar, 23, and Paul Poole, 26, yesterday pleaded guilty at Bradford Crown Court to charges of ill-treatment of a person who lacks capacity. They committed the offences while working as care assistants at The Dales nursing home in Woodhall Road, Thornbury.

All three were warned by the judge, Recorder David Hatton QC, to expect jail when they are sentenced on December 13. “It is, on any view, an appalling case and you can expect sentences of imprisonment,” he said.

Safdar, of Cumberland Road, Lidget Green, Bradford, pleaded guilty to ill-treating Edith Askham on December 12, 2008. Hullah, of Langdale Road, Ravenscliffe, Bradford, and Poole, of Upper Rushton Road, Bradford Moor, admitted ill-treating Kenneth Costigan, 86, on February 19 last year.

Safdar’s not guilty plea to that charge was accepted by the Crown.

All three pleaded guilty to ill-treating Mr Costigan three days later, on February 22.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp told the court: “These three defendants filmed abuse of elderly residents in care.”

He added: “I don’t propose to play footage from the mobile phone in court. I shall ask the sentencing judge to look at it in his chambers.”

Elyas Patel, Safdar’s barrister, said: “There is no doubt that the footage here is particularly disturbing and matters need to be handled with the utmost sensitivity.”

Barristers for all three defendants asked for sentencing to be adjourned for the preparation of probation service reports. Peter Mouson, for Poole, said he was seeking a medical report.

All three defendants were remanded on unconditional bail.

After the hearing, reviewing lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service, Clare Tripcony, said: “The CPS takes the criminal mistreatment of older people very seriously.

“Targeting someone because they are older and vulnerable, especially when the perpetrator is in a position of trust, makes the offence even more grave.

“This callous disregard for the vulnerability and dignity of these two elderly people is truly shocking.”

Also speaking after the case, Tracey Fletcher, regional director for Bupa Care Homes which runs The Dales, said: “The welfare of our residents is always our first priority. After this incident in 2009 we apologised to the residents concerned and their families.

“Immediately we discovered these people’s actions, they were suspended and later dismissed. We informed the local adult support and protection teams and the police, and have actively supported their prosecution.

“We remain determined to ensure residents in our care are protected.”