Beacon Edge Nursing Home: Hair-pull pair admit abuse

BUPA, which runs the nursing home, described the behaviour as "deplorable"

Two people have admitted abusing dementia patients at a care home.

Chevonne Benson, 23, and William Bowman, 22, assaulted residents at Beacon Edge Nursing Home, Penrith, Cumbria, pulling their hair. Benson called one man a "cabbage."

At Carlisle Crown Court, Benson admitted 10 counts of ill treatment and neglect and Bowman eight counts.

They will be sentenced in October, along with Claire Strong, 21, who had already admitted three charges.

'Deplorable' behaviour

The court was told that the abuse occurred between January and June last year.

Bowman and Benson, both of Penrith, assaulted some residents, the oldest of whom was 96, pulling their hair.

There was also verbal abuse. Benson told one woman she would be evicted because she had not paid the rent.

In one incident, Bowman got into the bed of a female resident and Benson took a photograph.

BUPA, which runs the home, described the behaviour as "deplorable" and apologised to the residents and their families.

The company said in a statement that everyone at the home was deeply shocked, and other carers had reported the abuse so action could be taken.