A severely disabled patient in a Fife care home was verbally and physically abused over a period of more than two years.
The two care workers who hit the vulnerable woman and repeatedly shouted abuse at her escaped going to jail for their behaviour at Bute House in Cowdenbeath.
Last month, Ann Geraldas, 57, and Janet Keenan, 51, were found guilty of abusing the woman after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
Their victim was wheelchair-bound Vicki McKenzie, who has cerebral palsy and severe learning difficulties.
Geraldas, of Barclay Street, Cowdenbeath, was found guilty of charge that between March 1 2011 and April 9 2013 at Bute House, Chambers Court, Cowdenbeath, while providing or purporting to provide care or treatment to a patient, Vicki McKenzie, she ill-treated or wilfully neglected her by repeatedly shouting, swearing, uttering offensive remarks to her and repeatedly struck her on the head with her open hand.
Keenan, of Woodbank, Cowdenbeath, was found guilty that over the same period she, while providing or purporting to provide care or treatment to Vicki McKenzie, ill-treated or wilfully neglected her by repeatedly shouting, swearing and uttering offensive and abusive remarks towards her and struck her on the head with her open hand.
Defence agent for Geraldas, Sally McKenzie, said her client’s position remained that she was not guilty but accepted she had been found guilty and was “anxious” about the possibility of a custodial sentence.
She said her client was now unemployed.
“She is no longer employed in the care sector and will no longer be able to be employed in the care sector.”
Elaine Buist, solicitor for Keenan, said her client was also now unemployed. She added: “She has never been in any doubt of the seriousness of this matter.”
She asked for a custodial sentence not to be imposed.
Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed the same sentence of both women.
They will each be on a community payback order with 150 hours of unpaid work and will be placed on a restriction of liberty order for four months.
Bute House is operated by Abbotsford Care Ltd, a family-owned chain of 12 facilities in Fife.
A spokesperson for Abbotsford said: “The concerns about the conduct of these staff members were brought to management’s attention by their colleagues.
“Abbotsford management immediately suspended the two accused and duly informed all relevant bodies Fife Adult Protection, the Care Inspectorate and the police.
“Abbotsford staff teams are regularly rotated in order to highlight any potential concerns with practice.”