A 99-year-old woman's family watched in horrified disbelief as she was raped by her carer on hidden camera.
Phillip Carey was snared by the victim's family after they became increasingly concerned about changes in her behaviour.
The woman, who suffered from dementia, was living in a care home and stopped allowing her family to touch her and begged them not to leave, warning “they will hurt me”.
They became so suspicious of her vulnerability that they placed a hidden video recorder in her room only to see disgusting 48-year-old Carey, walk into her room and rape her.
The horrified family called the police and Carey was arrested.
He was presented with forensic evidence as well as the camera footage and pleaded guilty to rape, sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder impeding choice and sexual activity in the presence of a person with a mental disorder by a care worker.
Carey who worked at the Blackpool care home was handed a life sentence and will serve at least 10 years before becoming eligible for release, according to Lancaster Live.
A statement released on behalf of the victim’s family said: “Our elderly relative has gone through a horrific ordeal at the hands of someone we trusted to care for her.
“We had noticed her behaviour had changed, she became withdrawn, wouldn’t hug or kiss us and she didn’t want us to go when we were leaving. And on a couple of occasions she said things that worried us, suggesting she would be punished.
“We were concerned that maybe someone was being unkind or too rough with her so we decided to install a hidden camera in her room so we could see what was happening. We were shocked and horrified, never imagining that we would see her being abused and raped in her own room.
“We called the police and their response was brilliant. This whole episode has been very distressing to all our family. Our lives have changed as we struggle to come to terms with what happened.
“We are truly grateful as a family at the way we have been supported throughout this ordeal by the police and the other people in the team.
“We would like to say to others with elderly loved ones in care... Listen to what they are saying and be aware of behaviour changes. If you think there could be something happening to them do something about it.
“We are thankful that Mr Carey has been given a life sentence and that he will not be allowed to harm anyone else.”
Sophie Rozdolskyj, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North West’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Unit said: “Carey abused his position of trust and targeted a vulnerable woman whom he should have been caring for.
“I am grateful to the victim’s family who have shown great strength throughout the Court proceedings. I hope today’s sentence provides them with some comfort, knowing Carey has been brought to justice for his actions.”
DI Chris Naidu, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “Carey worked in a position of trust which he abused in the most despicable way.
“We welcome the sentence which reflects the seriousness of his crime and we commend the victim and her family for their dignity and strength throughout the investigation and court case.”
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