The care assistant who abused a severely disabled young man under her supervision has said she “fully accepts” the decision of the court to convict her and fine her £100.
Care assistant Helen McQuade, 45, of Craigmead Terrace, Cardenden, called 23-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Stuart Shanks a “muppet” and “f****** loon tune”.
A charge that McQuade had assaulted Mr Shanks by striking him on the face with her hand at his home in Woodend Road, Cardenden, on November 14 was found not proven by Sheriff Mark Thorley.
However, she was found guilty of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on the same day by shouting, swearing, acting in an aggressive manner and uttering abusive remarks.
In a statement released to The Courier, Eamon Keane, solicitor for McQuade, said: “Miss McQuade was found guilty of breaching the peace following two comments she made on November 14 2014 whilst caring for Mr Shanks and was fined accordingly.
“She was acquitted of the much more serious charge of assaulting Mr Shanks. These proceedings, whilst undoubtedly stressful for all involved, have also placed her and her family under an enormous degree of pressure.
“She wishes for me to convey that she fully accepts the court’s decision and sentence and now asks for privacy so that she may draw a line under the matter and move on with her life. She does not intend to comment further.”
After hearing the sentence, Mr Shanks said: “It’s a disgrace. I’ve been made a mockery of.”
His father Michael Shanks said: “A £100 fine is an absolute joke. I can’t believe that’s all she’s got.
“My son’s been worked up about this court appearance for the last six months and has hardly been able to get any sleep.”
McQuade was captured on a digital audio recorder by the anxious dad, who said what he heard when he played it back was “absolutely disgusting”.
At court on Thursday, McQuade’s solicitor called for his client to be given an absolute discharge so that she could continue working as a carer.
He said his client had no previous convictions and had worked seven and a half years as a carer.
Mr Keane said a conviction would “without doubt end her career” as a carer.
Sheriff Mark Thorley rejected the call for an absolute discharge and fined McQuade £100.