A Devon care worker has been jailed after being filmed abusing an elderly resident.

Jinu Shaji, 26, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after being convicted of ill treatment of a 94-year-old resident at Langford Park nursing home in Devon.

Detective inspector Charlotte Heath said: “This was an extremely upsetting case which showed distressing footage of the victim being roughly handled by those who should have been caring for him.

“We welcome the outcome today and hope that the family can find comfort in justice being served.”

Shaji was immediately suspended after being caught on camera abusing the 94-year-old resident.

The resident’s family had installed a camera in their room after noticing a bruise on the victim’s leg.

The footage showed the man being handled roughly and being treated with a lack of dignity and respect.

The family immediately reported this to the care home manager and Shaji was suspended.

Three other care workers, who were employed by an agency, were reported, and told not to return to the home with immediate effect.

Shaji was later charged with ill-treatment by a care worker and appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on 21 December 2023. The other three received police cautions for ill-treatment/neglect by a care worker.

Jayne Connery, director and founder of Care Campaign for the Vulnerable, told Caring Times: “The case of Jinu Shaji serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of those in care and the importance of transparency and accountability within the caring sector. We applaud the family for their vigilance in installing a camera in their loved one’s room and for taking swift action to report the abuse. All care providers must prioritise the safety and well-being of their residents above all else.

“As we continue our efforts to advocate for the rights of vulnerable individuals we remain committed to working collaboratively with care providers, policymakers, and regulatory bodies to implement effective safety measures and ensure that incidents like this are not repeated. Every individual deserves to live with dignity, respect, and the assurance that they are safe from harm and the sector should be offering this reassurance as a matter of urgency.”