Two carers who neglected an elderly patient with dementia were caught after her family installed a hidden camera in her room.
Bisola Akindein, 34, and Diana Otobohu, 39, mistreated Jean Lochrane, 87, at Eastbank Care Home in Glasgow on October 4 and 5, 2022.
The pair moved a nurse call alarm away from her and stopped her from being able to call for help.
Carer of four years Otobohu went on to climb on top of Miss Lochrane’s bed and pulled the alarm box from the wall.
The pair were also noted to dress Miss Lochrane later that morning without washing her.
They then went on to carry out “inappropriate handling techniques” on her as her arms were pulled.
Matters came to light after Miss Lochrane’s daughter-in-law Angela, 60, hid a camera inside a digital clock her room.
Angela contacted the care home and claimed that she was watching the horrific events in real time.
The incriminating hour-long footage led to the pair’s suspension and eventual loss of their jobs.
First offenders Akindein, of Paisley, and Otobohu, of Springburn pled guilty to a single charge of neglect.
Sheriff Joanna McDonald said: “I had the opportunity to watch the CCTV and Miss Lochrane was distressed throughout.
“She was old and very slight.
“There were a number of times she tried to get assistance and was shouting for help, asking for someone to come and help her.
“There were a number of times you did.
“I took account of the amount of people working that night.
“However, she is entitled to a level of care which was not provided by you both that evening.
“It is recognised you moved the alarm cord and took the alarm system from the wall which caused Miss Lochrane deep distress.
“She was banging on the side of the bed to get some assistance.
“This charge has devastating consequences for you both – you will never work in the care sector again with a conviction of this nature.”
The pair were ordered to do 216 hours of unpaid work.
Glasgow Sheriff Court heard both carers were working nightshift at the time of the incident.
Miss Lochrane – who has vascular dementia – was in a “state of distress” and had not taken her medication that night.
She pulled the alarm cord which activated it and both attended her room.
Miss Lochrane’s alarm cord was wrapped around its box before she was left alone in the room.
The patient was then seen to make two separate attempts to reach the alarm cord.
The patient made efforts to climb out of the bed on her second effort.
Miss Lochrane was later able to activate the alarm but the video footage showed that she was naked from the waist down.
The cord was then taken from her reach and her bed was put against the wall.
Prosecutor Miryam Saeed said: “Otobobu climbed on Miss Lochrane’s bed and completely removed the alarm from the wall.”
Later that morning, Miss Lochrane was heard to shout for help and made an attempt to get out of bed.
Miss Saeed said: “It was noted that she was distressed for several hours during this night.
“Otobohu pulled her by the legs so she was lying with them off the bed.
“Akindein was seen making hands and arm gestures to Miss Lochrane.”
The pair were later noted to dress Miss Lochrane without washing her.
Miss Saeed added: “They pulled her about by the arms which displayed inappropriate handling techniques.”
Otobohu was then seen to restore the panic alarm to its correct position.
Miss Lochrane was also noted to attempt to reach a Zimmer frame but fell back onto a chair due to mobility issues.
Miss Saeed said: “This prompted Angela Lochrane to phone the care home and say she was watching events in real time.
“She attended the care home to tell them about the CCTV.
“She was informed to return to with the USB.”
After viewing the footage, Akindein and Otobohu were suspended pending an investigation.
Muhammad Shoaib, defending, Akindein told the sentencing that his client was employed as a part-time worker who was supervised by full-time Otobohu.
Mr Shoaib also stated that incident will have a baring on whether his client will be able to remain in the country.
Bob McDowall, defending Otobohu, told the court his mum-of-three client is now a cleaner.
He said: “They were under severe pressure that night.
“There were 26 residents in the home that night. There were two carers responsible for the entire night.
“It is unfortunate that the patient did not take her medication that night and was under a somewhat distressed and sleepless condition.
“There was monumental distress and upset to her and her family and the potential for something to happen.
“My client reacted in the wrong way and accepts responsibility.”
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