Dormers Wells Lodge carers banned for 'cruel' treatment
Two carers at a west London residential home have been barred from their profession for their "rough, unkind and cruel" behaviour.
Sonika Limbu, 25, of Hayes, and Pashi Sahota, 57, of Southall, were found guilty of mistreating patients at Dormers Wells Lodge in Southall.
They received 12-month community orders along with 150 and 200 hours of community service respectively.
Ahir Kulwinder, 33, was acquitted at Ealing Magistrates' Court.
The judge described the guilty pair as "rough, unkind and at times cruel" in their treatment of some extremely vulnerable people.
The management of the home was described as "shocking".
But the judge commended a young whistleblower without whom none of the wrongdoing would have been exposed.
Slawomira Kowalkowska attended Southall police station in September 2010 to report the abuse.
She provided police with some 60 video clips of the abuse which she had recorded on a hidden camera.
Det Ch Insp Stuart Ryan said: "The actions of these women was despicable.
"Vulnerable, elderly patients who were incapable of defending themselves were subjected to appalling abuse when they should have been treated with care and compassion.
'Degree of justice'
"I would like to commend the actions of Miss Kowalkowska for bringing this abuse to our attention."
He added: "I hope these convictions and sentences will bring a degree of justice to the victims and their families."
The carers were arrested in November after a police inquiry at the purpose-built home, registered in 1965.
The care home in Southall housed about 45 elderly patients, including several dementia sufferers.