A care worker has been jailed for abusing a Down’s Syndrome patient after being filmed by a neighbour hurling abuse at him in the home’s back garden.
Callous Sona Mertova was caught on camera dragging the patient into the garden before yelling at him, at the West Sussex care home in June of this year.
A concerned neighbour had filmed the incident after hearing a commotion.
Video footage was handed to the police and officers from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit have subsequently charged Mertova.
The horrific story of her tirade of ill-treatment, which she admitted, was told to a judge at Lewes Crown Court who immediately sent her to prison.
Judge Mark Van Der Zwart said her behaviour was not a momentary loss of control and added that she had breached the trust of the victim's family.
The judge imposed a six-month prison sentence on Mertova, of Western Place, Heene, Worthing.
Detective Constable Yvonne Daddow, from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said the incident has caused the victim and his family significant distress.
"Adults requiring care and support may not be able to protect themselves from abuse or neglect,” she added.
“We have specialist trained officers and staff who work to protect adults at risk of abuse.
"If you are worried that you or someone you know is suffering adult or elder abuse or neglect, please contact us immediately.
“We will investigate and ensure the person gets the best course of action to meet their needs."
