A CARER, who tied up an 85-year-old dementia sufferer with a dressing gown belt at an East Lancashire care home, has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Michael Tinker, 53, was told by Pennine magistrates that his treatment of frail Avis Ratchford at Haslingden Hall and Lodge, witnessed by district nurse Gina Hill and trainee Abigail Jacobs fell significantly below acceptable standards.

The belt had been placed around her body so that her arms were pinned to her side, restricting her movements, magistrates have heard.

But bench chairman Bernard Jagger said he accepted Tinker, who had no previous convictions, was left under considerable pressure, as two other staff members had been called away from his floor.

Mr Jagger said that the carer’s actions, which occurred while she was being led from a dining room to a lounge at the home, had led to a ‘loss of dignity’ for Mrs Ratchford and distressed fellow residents, who witnessed the incident at the Lancaster Avenue home.

Tinker, of Ashlands Close, Edenfield, denied the ill-treatment or neglect of the pensioner but was convicted after a trial.

He was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £200 court costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Jeremy Frain, defending, said not only had his client lost his employment, and would be unable to secure a job in the same field again, but he had lost his good name.

He told the court that Tinker had only been back at work for four days, after a period ill with stress, when the incident occurred.

The defendant had been left on his own after a colleague had been called away and another had to attend a staff meeting.

Mrs Ratchford had been recognised as presenting a number of challenges, because of her behaviour, but the carer accepted his ‘momentary lapse’ was not acceptable.

Mr Frain added: “He is remorseful and ashamed of what he has done on this occasions.

“It was not pre-meditated and poses a very low risk of reoffending in the future, according his pre-sentence report.”