Care worker raped dementia sufferer and sexually assaulted two others

A care home worker raped one dementia sufferer and sexually assaulted two others.

Stephen Murray raped a 65-year-old woman and abused two others aged 84 and 74 over a 16-month period at the home where he worked.

The 44-year-old’s victims all needed round the clock care and relied upon their attacker to help them.

At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, judge Lord Turnbull sentenced Murray to seven years in jail.

He said: "You showed a shocking disregard for individuals who were in your care. It demonstrated a callous and outrageous breach of trust. It is obvious that only the imposition of a very lengthy prison sentence will reflect the seriousness of your conduct."

Murray, from Larkhall, pleaded guilty to rape and sexual assault charges at a care home in Lanarkhire between December 2010 and April 2012 at a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow last month.

At the earlier hearing, advocate depute Alison Di Rollo said a nightshift colleague discovered Murray raping the woman. She went looking for him because he disappeared from view during a shift.

Ms Di Rollo told the court: "She looked in at two or three of the residents' rooms to see if he was there. When she got to the 65-year-old woman's room the light was off, but the en-suite bathroom light was on and the door was ajar.

"She saw the accused standing at the bottom of the bed. His trousers and pants were at his ankles. The woman was lying on the bed naked from the waist down."

The court heard when Murray was confronted by his colleague he appeared agitated and embarrassed and said: "My trousers have fell down, my zip's burst."

The woman phoned her manager and the police were contacted. While waiting for the police to arrive Murray stabbed a pair of scissors into his neck.

When interviewed, Murray admitted raping the woman, saying: "It was stupid, disgusting, because I know it's wrong. I just lost the plot. It was wrong, it was stupid."

The court heard the woman's DNA was found on Murray's underpants.

While being questioned by police Murray admitted sexually abusing two other dementia patients aged 84 and 74. He told police he had touched the 84-year-old on her breasts and private parts and had handled the breasts of the 74-year-old.

Ms Di Rollo said: "He appeared to enjoy his work as a carer and was described as a 'happy-go-lucky guy' who was never depressed."

The court heard Murray had worked as a carer since leaving school.

Ms Di Rollo added: "In view of the complainers’ severe dementia and communication difficulties, it has been impossible to assess the direct impact, if any, that the accused's offending has had on them.

"The complainers' immediate families are shocked, disgusted and devastated by the offences."

On Friday, defence advocate Louise Arrol told the court that her client was a loner who had been unable to form any lasting relationships during his life.

Ms Arrol also told the court Murray, a first offender, suffered from mental health problems and had been diagnosed with a condition called social anxiety disorder.

Ms Arrol added: "He is someone who has demonstrated remorse. He admitted his conduct at the earliest opportunity and wished to have the matter resolved as quickly as possible. He is a loner. I understand he was bullied when he was in his formative years. He has a poor academic record."

Lord Turnbull also placed Murray on the sex offenders register.

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