Disturbing rise in elderly abuse cases

Old and vulnerable people are being subjected to abuse in their own homes on a daily basis due to an epidemic of rogue carers.

Across the north of England, thousands of those who need help at home are being tormented, neglected and even robbed by the very people who are paid to look after them.

A Sunday Post probe of councils in Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and the North East has uncovered a shocking number of cases, ranging from sexual and physical attacks to theft. Over the past five years alone, 2,817 allegations of abuse have been made against paid carers who visit the homes of vulnerable people a staggering 11 a week.

And the true figure is likely to be significantly higher because some councils did not include allegations made against sub-contracted care staff while others did not give a full five-year picture.

The disclosures come in the same weekend it was revealed the number of elderly being abused across the whole of England has soared by 28% but only a third of those accused ever face justice. Derek Barton, secretary of the North West Pensioners’ Association, branded the toll of abuse a “national disgrace”.

He said: “Abuse absolutely should not be tolerated, whether the victim is young or elderly. But it does seem that vulnerable people are more at risk from being abused whether it is sexual, physical or taking advantage of the financial situation.”

Councils in England spend £16 billion a year on social care but research by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services suggests it’s likely £800 million will be shaved off the budget this year. Derek, 66, added: “Cuts do come into it, because carers have less time to get around and see people.

Inevitably, if there’s only one carer visiting, there is a greater risk of abuse because there are simply no witnesses to see what’s going on.”

A recent report by consumer group Which? revealed pensioners’ care bills have spiralled by as much as 160% amid claims staff were paid to spend just 15 minutes at each home.

Among the councils which subcontract social care staff is Cumbria County Council which has had 325 abuse allegations since 2009. Of those, 13 faced police involvement and eight were hit with criminal prosecutions or cautions, including three police actions after allegations of neglecting disabled pensioners between 2011 and 2012. And last year three staff were given cautions over financial wrongdoing.

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire just 349 of 2,293 allegations were fully substantiated. In Northumberland during 2009/10 a carer was jailed for theft and fraud involving a man with learning difficulties.

Caroline Abrahams, of Age UK, said: “We need a zero tolerance approach to any abuse whether through neglect, financial manipulation or physical or mental cruelty. Our biggest fear is that there are still many cases that are not reported and we would encourage anyone who suspects that an older person is being abused to contact their social services department or the police straight away.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council, said: “We encourage users of the care services, as well as their relatives or carers, and staff employed in social care roles to alert the council to any possible incidents. This policy results in greater awareness and leads to a proportionately higher number of recorded cases for investigation.”

A Cumbria County Council spokesman said: “The number of referrals should be seen as a positive step because it means people are aware of safeguarding issues and reflects the training and publicity work we have been doing in this field to encourage more people to report suspected cases of abuse of vulnerable adults. The procedures for responding to suspected cases of abuse and neglect are regularly updated and amended in response to experience and practice. We are confident that the appropriate level of action is being taken in each case.”

A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We want to make sure everything is done to protect vulnerable people from abuse and neglect.

“We have now introduced a new Chief Inspector for Social Care who will hold local areas to account.”

Murdered in her home

Frail Harriet Davison looked forward to the daily visits of the woman who was supposed to care for her.

The 88-year-old, who lived in a sheltered accommodation flat in Farringdon, Sunderland, was visited by Beverley Briggs, a school caretaker’s wife who was employed by local firm Care At Home.

What trusting Harriet didn’t realise was that the mum-of-three had run up crippling debts. At nights she worked as a phone sex operator to earn enough money just to service her loans and credit cards. When she discovered Harriet had money in the bank, the pensioner’s fate was sealed.

In a “savage and sustained” attack, she beat up the gentle OAP and then suffocated her.

When police arrived, Briggs claimed a tattooed intruder had burst into the flat and, after forcing the pair to carry out a series of bizarre sex acts, had murdered Anne.

CCTV footage from the sheltered complex quickly proved there had been no intruder.

Harriet’s savings, which should have been around £17,000, had been reduced to just £17 by the thieving carer.

In March 2011, after a two-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Briggs was sentenced to 20 years for the killing.

Summing up, Mr Justice Openshaw said: “In her account to police, she even threw in a few salacious details in an attempt to give spurious authenticity to her untrue story.”

Caught on camera

When he realised money was vanishing at the home of his disabled dad, Carl Grapes set up a hidden camera and was shocked to find the culprit was his father’s carer.

Light-fingered Steven Beezer, 41, was always punctual in his visits to Samuel Grapes. In fact, he often arrived early, long before his colleagues got to the house in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Others put Beezer’s timeliness down to his devotion and dedication to the job. In fact, he was using the opportunity to dip into the 81-year-old’s cash, which was kept in a mug in his living room cabinet.

The sums weren’t large by the standards of the super-rich, but for Samuel eking out every penny of his pension each theft meant he had less to spend on essentials such as food and heating.

Armed with the evidence from his camera, Carl went to the police. Beezer was arrested and quickly found himself in the dock at Houghton Magistrates Court.

Prosecutor Rachel Dodsworth said: “The footage shows Beezer going into the cupboard and putting money into his pocket before continuing with his duties.”

In May 2010, Beezer was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid work. Afterwards Carl, 42, blasted: “He’s disgusting, stealing from an old man.”

Improve our safeguards

The elderly and vulnerable may get more protection from abuse or neglect thanks to the Care Bill currently passing through Parliament. It aims to boost standards within the home care industry and safeguard those the carers are taught to call “clients”.

But charity Age UK wants the proposals beefed up further to ensure there are no more victims like Harriet Davison or Samuel Grapes.

The current proposals state that local councils will have a duty to investigate when they suspect an adult is at risk.

However Age UK is demanding that care providers must have an obligation to inform the council when they suspect an adult is at risk.

Age UK wants councils to be given the right to carry out confidential interviews with vulnerable adults with a sanction from a magistrates’ court, similar to the system in place in Scotland. Charity bosses also want a new offence of “corporate neglect” to be introduced as well as more wide-ranging offences of neglect and ill-treatment.

Michelle Mitchell, of Age UK, said: “The Care Bill presents the ideal opportunity to ensure that vulnerable adults living in our community are given the best possible protection.

“We welcome the advances the Bill makes in safeguarding older and disabled people but with these additional changes, that protection could be much more effective.”