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Carer jailed for spraying deodorant in elderly patient's face

A care worker in the UK who was secretly filmed spraying an aerosol can into the face of an elderly patient has been jailed for four weeks.

Earlier this month, Susan Draper was found guilty in Birmingham Magistrates Court of mistreating 78-year-old Betty Boylan at a care home in Perry Barr, England.

Draper, who had worked at the nursing home for 17 years, was immediately granted bail after appealing the sentence, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The secret footage was recorded after Ms Boylan's family placed a hidden camera in her room.

Ms Draper had denied the ill-treatment of the patient but has been found guilty.
Ms Draper had denied the ill-treatment of the patient but has been found guilty.

The family said they had become concerned about her care after finding bruises on her in August 2016.

Ms Draper denied ill-treatment of the dementia patient, but the chairman of the bench at Birmingham Magistrates Court, Frank Fletcher, said, “The care was inadequate and amounts to ill treatment.”

  • Care home worker caught spraying aerosol in dementia patient's face

"As God is my witness I did not hurt Betty, I loved her," Draper said.

Footage shows Draper allegedly spraying the aerosol in the elderly patient's face who urges her to 'stop it'.

Ms Boylan's family installed a hidden camera after they found bruises on the elderly woman.
Ms Boylan's family installed a hidden camera after they found bruises on the elderly woman.

Prosecutor Shawn Williams said: “Betty gurgles and coughs but is not able to move out of the way. She is not able to express herself and say she wants it to stop.

He added, “The defendant says she didn’t do it deliberately and was going through the mechanics of her work. But if that familiarity causes her to lower her professional approach, then that comes within neglect."

The prosecutor told the court that a second carer said the spray went into her mouth and the defendant said "it’s better than poo", the Express reports.

“She wipes Betty’s face with a flannel and says, ‘wash your mouth’.”

According to reports Draper wept while giving evidence and had said she had made a “stupid mistake” and said she would never hurt any resident.

Betty Boylan with family.
Betty Boylan with family.

She said, “I just wanted her to smell and look nice and presentable – I am not a bad person, I’m not evil,”

Vivienne Birch, Director of Quality for Bupa Care Services UK, said: “This behaviour is totally unacceptable. We immediately suspended her in September 2016 and shortly afterwards she was formally dismissed. We were shocked and saddened by the footage.

“We’re deeply sorry this happened and for the distress it has caused Mrs Boylan’s family. We're proud of the care our staff provide and do not tolerate behaviour like this at any of our homes.”