Latest news with #careworker
Irish Times
14 hours ago
- Irish Times
Judge calls for resources to be provided to case of man accused of Parnell Square attacks
A judge has called for resources to be provided to the case of Riad Bouchaker, who is charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin. At the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday, counsel for the prosecution said that the defence have provided a psychiatric report on the accused, but the prosecution is now preparing their own report, which is expected by the middle of October. Mr Justice Paul McDermott put the matter back to October 22nd, noting that 'serious difficulties' were being faced due to the delay in the case. 'Someone needs to provide resources for this case,' he said. READ MORE Mr Bouchaker (51), of no fixed abode, is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy. He is also charged with assault causing serious harm to a care worker and possession or production of a knife. The incident occurred at Parnell Square on the afternoon of November 23rd, 2023. In December last year, the court was told that a psychiatrist assessing the accused man deemed it necessary to have further work carried out by a neuropsychologist. In April, the court heard that the expert's report had been made available, but the psychiatrist requested a further four weeks to review matters. The court also heard that the treating doctor had encountered delays accessing the defendant in prison and with regards to the availability of an interpreter. In May of this year, Mr Justice McDermott noted the age of the complainants and said the case must be given priority as soon as the psychiatric issue was resolved. He asked that everyone involved, including lawyers and professionals, 'strain themselves' to ensure it gets on as quickly as possible. When the case returned before the court in June, a senior counsel acting for Mr Bouchaker said that he received the psychiatric report and would make it available to the Director of Public Prosecutions in due course. In February of this year, the Department of Justice and the courts announced a protocol to fast-track trials involving children. The courts have committed to completing the trial process within one year, where possible, if a child is the alleged victim or perpetrator.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Victoria blamed her bloating on a food allergy. Then three months later she saw the sign everyone dreads... and was diagnosed with stage-three bowel cancer at just 39
When Victoria Collins found herself being forced to lie down last June because she was so bloated after dinner, she knew that something was wrong. The adult support care worker from Hamilton, near Glasgow, had never experienced anything like it.
Sky News
12-07-2025
- Sky News
Care whistleblower 'who saw elderly resident being punched' could face removal from Britain
A care worker who reported the alleged abuse of an elderly care home resident, which triggered a criminal investigation, is facing destitution and potential removal from Britain after speaking up. "Meera", whose name we have changed to protect her identity, said she witnessed an elderly male resident being punched several times in the back by a carer at the home where she worked. Sky News is unable to name the care home for legal reasons because of the ongoing police investigation. "I was [a] whistleblower there," said Meera, who came to the UK from India last year to work at the home. "Instead of addressing things, they fired me... I told them everything and they made me feel like I am criminal. I am not criminal, I am saving lives," she added. Like thousands of foreign care workers, Meera's employer sponsored her visa. Unless she can find another sponsor, she now faces the prospect of removal from the country. "I am in trouble right now and no one is trying to help me," she said. Meera said she reported the alleged abuse to her bosses, but was called to a meeting with a manager and told to "change your statement, otherwise we will dismiss you". She refused. The following month, she was sacked. The care home claimed she failed to perform to the required standard in the job. She went to the police to report the alleged abuse and since then, a number of people from the care home have been arrested. They remain under investigation. 'Migrants recruited because many are too afraid to speak out' The home has capacity for over 60 residents. It is unclear if the care home residents or their relatives know about the police investigation or claim of physical abuse. Since the arrests, the regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), carried out an investigation at the home triggered by the concerns - but the home retained its 'good' rating. Meera has had no reassurance from the authorities that she will be allowed to remain in Britain. In order to stay, she'll need to find another care home to sponsor her which she believes will be impossible without references from her previous employer. She warned families: "I just want to know people in care homes like these... your person, your father, your parents, is not safe." She claimed some care homes have preferred to recruit migrants because many are too afraid to speak out. "You hire local staff, they know the legal rights," she said. "They can complain, they can work anywhere... they can raise [their] voice," she said. Sky News has reported widespread exploitation of care visas and migrant care workers. Currently migrants make up around a third of the adult social care workforce, with the majority here on visas that are sponsored by their employers. As part of measures announced in April in the government's immigration white paper, the care visa route will be closed, meaning care homes will no longer be able to recruit abroad. 'Whole system is based on power imbalance' But the chief executive of the Work Rights Centre, a charity that helps migrants with employment issues, is warning that little will change for the tens of thousands of foreign care workers already here. "The whole system is based on power imbalance and the government announcement doesn't change that," Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol told Sky News. She linked the conditions for workers to poor care for residents. "I think the power that employers have over migrant workers' visas really makes a terrible contribution to the quality of care," she said. Imran agrees. He came to the UK from Bangladesh, sponsored by a care company unrelated to the one Meera worked for. He says he frequently had to work 14-hour shifts with no break because there weren't enough staff. He too believes vulnerable people are being put at risk by the working conditions of their carers. Migrant workers 'threatened' over visas "For four clients, there is [a] minimum requirement for two or three staff. I was doing [it] alone," he said, in broken English. "When I try to speak, they just directly threaten me about my visa," he said. "I knew two or three of my colleagues, they are facing the same issue like me. But they're still afraid to speak up because of the visa." A government spokesperson called what happened to Imran and Meera "shocking". "No one should go to work in fear of their employer, and all employees have a right to speak up if they witness poor practice and care." James Bullion, from the CQC, told Sky News it acts on intelligence passed to it to ensure people stay safe in care settings.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Guilty, carer who had sex with disabled man she was looking after
A care worker engaged in sexual activity with a cerebral palsy sufferer she was supposed to be looking after. Megan Neilson, 28, was appointed to support the 29-year-old man who also has epilepsy and a learning disability. The pair quickly developed a close friendship which eventually led to them both declaring that they loved each other. Neilson repeatedly kissed and cuddled him during trips to a bowling alley and at Strathclyde Park while she later performed a sex act on him in a car parked at the Falkirk Wheel. Their relationship came to light after the pair turned up hand-in-hand at his dad's house and told him they were together. Neilson told the sickened father she would resign from her role as a support worker but police were called in. Neilson, of Airdrie, Lanarkshire, denied any wrongdoing and the case subsequently went to trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court. But jurors took an hour to convict her of engaging in sexual activity with the man while being a person who provided care services to him. Jurors were shown a police interview with the man where he told them how he believed he was in a relationship with Neilson and described sexual acts between them. He said: 'She said if anybody found out about us she would lose her job, her daughter and her college course. I felt awkward because this had never happened to me before.' When asked how he felt about telling his parents and the police about Neilson, he replied: 'I feel as if I made her a promise and broke it.' His father told the court he had been 'suspicious' of the pair before they visited him and revealed the relationship. He recalled: 'They said 'we've something to tell you, we are in a relationship' and it took a while for it to sink in. 'I questioned Megan that it would be so wrong because she was one of his carers and she said 'I'm going to leave anyway so it will be fine'. The father added: 'I was in shock but then realised my suspicion was confirmed that there was something going on and I had this sickly feeling because it was a major breach of trust by the support worker working with him. He is still not the same wee laddie.' The court was also shown messages that had been sent from Neilson to the man. One said: 'I love you. If it means losing everything, that's fine.' However, she then added: 'Delete this, mind.' Neilson denied that there had ever been any sexual contact between the pair but said she resigned from her support role after developing an 'emotional relationship' with him. The mother-of-two added: 'I'm not sure why he has said this, it was maybe because he couldn't be with me but I can't get my head round it. I feel terrible, it has affected me really, really badly and it has given me a lot of anxiety but there was nothing sexual between me and him.' Depute fiscal Lewis Devoy told jurors Neilson had committed a 'gross breach of trust' and said the man had 'no reason' to lie. Lewis Kennedy, defence advocate, told the jury: 'Her position is really straightforward and that is she was only involved in an emotional relationship with the complainer and that it was never sexual.' Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence on the first offender until next month for reports and continued her bail. Neilson, who is now unemployed, was placed on the sex offenders register.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Carer who abused dementia-stricken pensioner, 88, days before he died was given 'nursing' job at hospital just months later
A carer caught on camera abusing a frail elderly man days before he died was given a 'nursing' job at a local hospital - and won an 'award' 18 months after the allegations were made. Bilikesu Olagunju, 42, was employed at Homerton Hospital on a stroke ward with the trust acknowledging it was 'unaware' of criminal investigations against her. Harrowing footage has this week caused widespread outrage after it showed her 'manhandling' dementia sufferer John Attard, 88, like a 'rag doll' at his home. The defendant had been a carer for just six days and was on her fist assignment when a CCTV camera captured the full horrific ordeal that the family of the great grandfather say he never recovered from. Olagunju stripped the great-grandfather naked, threatened to beat him up, and even dragged him across his living room floor – ignoring him as he repeatedly told her she was 'hurting' him. He was found unresponsive by his son Chris Attard the following day and died in hospital just over a week later. Last week, Olagunju pleaded guilty to one count of ill-treating or willfully neglecting an individual whilst acting as a care worker. She was given a six week sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 50 hours unpaid work, at Woolwich Crown Court. But concerns have now been raised around DBS checks that failed to flag the allegations made against her - that allowed her to continue to come into daily contact with patients on a stroke ward. It is understood Olagunju had been dismissed by care provider Unique Personnel (Ltd) UK, and Chris said in January 2023 - a month after his father's death - a referral was made to the DBS. Despite hospitals requiring DBS checks to be carried out on staff working with patients - she still managed to secure employment at the hospital to look after patients on a stroke ward. The award was given for her role in the Homerton University Hospital Patient Experience Team, a department within the trust focused on enhancing patient experience. The post on the hospital's X account states: 'Congratulations to our amazing Bumble Bee Award winner for July 2024' and features a photo of Olagunju picking up a certificate. The hospital says the award is a recognition program that honors 'outstanding nurses and other healthcare professionals.' The BEE Award 'acknowledges the contributions of other members of the nursing team, such as nursing support staff, who provide excellent and compassionate care,' the trust states. Chris said he only became aware of the post and employment status of Olagunju after her sentencing last week. He added: 'You couldn't make this up. 'What makes me more angry is that my father was admitted to Homerton Hospital just before he moved in with me - now I found out she was working there.' It is understood both the council and the CQC are obligated to inform the DBS of any criminal investigation, which is seen as a 'crucial' part of safeguarding vulnerable individuals. Chris added: 'The council stated to me on 27 January 2023 that they and the care company sent referrals to the DBS regarding the carer's actions - bearing in mind the allegations did, at that time, not rule out she was responsible for his death. 'The company by law have to. 'Hospitals have to do enhanced DBS checks on applicants if they work on a ward or deal with patients. She worked on Graham Ward, a stroke unit. 'Either no one informed the DBS, or the hospital didn't do checks, or the DBS did not take action. 'I found out a referral doesn't automatically revoke a DBS certificate unless there is evidence of the allegations. 'Either way, this highlights the DBS check system completely failed and is not fit for purpose.' Last week, Woolwich Crown Court heard full details of the 45-minute ordeal Olagunju had put Mr Attard through. At one point in the footage she tells him: 'Maybe I will beat you up. I will flog you. I will take you to the GP to get injections. I will call the police on you.' The distressing images were filmed in the victim's home in Bexley, Kent, on Christmas Eve 2022 on a camera set up by his son Chris. The following day, Mr Attard was found unresponsive – with blood dripping down the side of his face. Chris said although a post mortem could not prove it, he felt Olagunju's actions had directly contributed to his father's sudden decline and death. Under the impression she had been suspended, he had earlier stated: 'If those cameras had not been there, that person could still be out there treating elderly people like this.' She is also seen in the footage taunting Mr Attard by pouring marmalade into his coffee despite knowing he was diabetic and threatening to 'flog' him - a slang term for 'beating him up.' When she phoned he care provider, she ignored advice to not touch him on the floor and instead call an ambulance. Chris said he was horrified by how visibly distressed his dad looked throughout the ordeal. He added: 'She is physically trying to lift him like a rag doll. His face indicates the discomfort and pain he is feeling.' Addressing her directly, he told her: 'An autopsy could not link your actions to his death – but I feel personally that your actions, in part, contributed to his sudden death'. Chris described his father, who had five children, 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren, as 'kind-hearted, generous, compassionate, and funny'. 'He was still enjoying what life he had left,' Chris added. The distraught son said that rewatching the harrowing CCTV footage for the purpose of the case had had a profound impact on him, and his family. John was Olagunju's first assignment as a care worker in the UK. During sentencing. Judge Charlotte Welsh told her: 'Frankly it beggars belief that someone would be allocated an elderly man with dementia as their first client.' It is not known what date she started working at the hospital. In response, a spokesperson for the Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said in a statement: 'We take any accusation of abuse of patients extremely seriously. 'Once we were made aware of the matter relating to this member of staff, we followed our internal procedures and took the necessary action. This individual no longer works at our Trust.' The trust would not confirm when they were made aware of the allegations, or when she started or finished working there.
