Jail for care trio who filmed their abuse of elderly at Thornbury nursing home

Harrowing mobile phone footage of an 86-year-old man being bullied, baited and taunted and a 99-year-old woman sprawled, legs apart, on the floor pleading for help were played to a packed courtroom.

Jolene Hullah, Tanzeela Safdar, and Paul Poole – the three care workers who should have been looking after them – watched from the dock at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

Hullah, 21, looked down in shame, Safdar, 23, rocked back and forth in distress, while their boss, Paul Poole, 26, – later to collapse in the dock – covered his eyes.

All three pleaded guilty to two offences of ill-treatment of a person who lacks capacity while working at The Dales nursing home in Woodhall Road, Thornbury. Safdar, of Cumberland Road, Lidget Green, Bradford – branded the most culpable by the judge – was jailed for 21 months. Hullah, of Langdale Road, Ravenscliffe, Bradford, was locked up for 18 months and Poole, of Upper Rushton Road, Bradford Moor, for 12 months.

The judge, Recorder Richard Mansell QC, told the three they had committed “despicable acts of abuse” for their own amusement and gratification.

He said: “Everyone who is in court cannot fail to be appalled by your sick conduct.”

Safdar admitted ill-treating Edith Askham on December 12, 2008. Hullah and Poole admitted ill-treating Kenneth Costigan on February 19 last year. All three pleaded guilty to ill-treating Mr Costigan three days later, on February 22.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp said the women were care assistants at the BUPA home and Poole a senior care assistant.

“This case deals with ill-treatment of elderly and defenceless people by their carers,” he told the court.

Film played in court showed Mr Costigan in an armchair in his room being taunted and provoked by all three defendants.

As he reaches out, Hullah pushes the filming phone into his face while Poole mocks him. Safdar pushes her hands into his mouth and tries to grab his nose.

Mr Sharp said the expression on Mr Costigan’s face is “one of stark terror.”

He flails his arms and Hullah strikes out at him after he is goaded into biting Safdar.

Mr Costigan cowers in his chair as something is thrown at him.

Later that day, a partially-dressed Mr Costigan is again targeted by the three. He pleads with them to stop and puts his head in his hands in despair.

Mr Sharp said Safdar’s phone was used to film Edith Askham, who has since died. She suffered from advanced dementia and was unable to stand without assistance.

She is seen sitting on the floor in her nightdress, clearly distressed, saying: “Help me” and “I am frightened”.

Safdar and another woman, believed now to be in Pakistan, laugh at her helplessness and the phone is thrust into her face.

The three were arrested after Hullah’s cousin, Phillip, saw the film on her phone and was so shocked he told care home managers.

All three were sacked after disciplinary hearings. Their sentences mean they can never work with young children or old people again.

The judge stressed that “BUPA was in no way at fault” and the home “in no way accountable” for the offences.

Poole, who fainted as Safdar was sentenced, sobbed on the floor as dock officers assisted him.

Hullah’s barrister, Jayne Beckett, said she was a young woman with mental health problems and truly regretted her behaviour.

Elyas Patel, for Safdar said: “It is an understatement to say that she presents as a broken, ashamed and petrified young woman.”

Peter Moulson, for Poole, said he was a key worker at the home who loved his job. His “delicate and sensitive disposition” did not make him the right person to be in charge of the women.

After the case, Detective Inspector Ian Bryar, of Bradford South CID, said: “Hullah, Poole and Safdar were people entrusted in caring for some of the most vulnerable members of society but, instead, subjected them to torment and humiliation.

“They caused considerable distress to these elderly patients through what can only be described as systematic abuse.”