A severely disabled young man who was abused by his carer has spoken of the “absolutely horrendous” experience and told how he cried himself to sleep every night with worry ahead of her trial.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court has heard a secretly-taped recording of the carer telling 23-year-old Stuart Shanks to “shut up, ya f****** loon tune” and then calling him a “muppet”.
Helen McQuade was captured on a digital audio recorder by the man’s father, who said what he heard when he played it back was “absolutely disgusting”.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier at the family home in Cardenden, Stuart who was born with cerebral palsy, cannot walk or stand up and has severely impaired sight said: “It’s been one of the worstexperiences in my entire life. Absolutely horrendous.
“I hope she’ll never be able to work with kids or vulnerable adults again. You don’t expect that from someone who comes in to care for you.”
A charge that McQuade, 45, ofCraigmead Terrace, Cardenden, had assaulted Stuart by striking him on the face with her hand at his home on November 14 was found not proven by Sheriff Mark Thorley.
However, she was convicted ofbehaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, acting in an aggressive manner and utteringabusive remarks.
The court heard McQuade had been caring for Stuart who requires 24/7 care four days a week for around four years when the incidents occurred.
Stuart’s father Michael, 50, a bus driver and former RAF Leucharsserviceman told The Courier he had left a tape recorder switched on when he went to work.
He and his wife Adele, 51, who is an additional support needs teacher at a Fife secondary school, had becomeworried after Stuart a former pupil of Lochgelly and Glenrothes high schools raised concerns with them.
The court heard parts of the recording when his mother had also gone out to work, leaving him in the house with McQuade.
McQuade could be heard complaining about having to work and was constantly shouting, singing and swearing.
At one point she said to Stuart“shut up ya f****** loon tune, shut upya muppet”.
At another time, there is a slapping sound, McQuade is heard shouting “whack” and Stuart claimed in court she had hit him on the face. McQuade told the court she had been hitting him on the backside, which she claimed she did if he was suffering from numbness.
Mr Shanks told The Courier: “I am disgusted at what she has done to my son. He is an intelligent boy and was aware of everything.”
Stuart, who has a twin brother Scott, is well known as a Radio West Fife DJ. A huge Pars fan, he regularly helps atDunfermline Athletic’s East End Park.
McQuade will be sentenced on June 3.