'Beast' Devon care home abuser spared jail
A 21-year-old carer who mistreated elderly people at a Devon care home was branded a "beast" by one of his victims, a court heard.
Lewis Moore's mistreatment at Lambspark care home in Plympton, was caught on a mobile phone after staff became concerned, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
Moore, from Plymouth, admitted three charges of ill treating or wilfully neglecting a person in his care.
He was jailed for 50 weeks, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
The court was told that Moore, who had worked at the home since March 2011, had made "very upsetting and derogatory remarks" about an incontinent 78-year-old woman.
He had teased and tormented an elderly man and had thrown a woman with Parkinson's disease down in her bed.
The third charge related to an elderly woman who has since died after suffering from advanced dementia and Parkinson's disease.
Prosecutor Jo Martin said Moore picked her up and carried her up two flights of stairs when she did not want to leave a lounge area.
As Moore carried her against her will "she called him a beast and called for her mother", said Miss Martin.
Gareth Wraighte, owner and manager of the Lambspark care home, said after the case: "We have endeavoured to root out and make an example of this rotten apple and we hope that this sends out a message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in our industry."