Worthing care home worker jailed for mistreating vulnerable man

Monday, 25 October 2021 00:00

47 year old Sona Mertova dragged her victim around a garden and shouted abuse at him.

A care worker from Worthing who was recorded abusing a vulnerable adult has been jailed.

Sona Mertova admitted ill-treatment of the victim with Down Syndrome at a care home in the town in June this year.

A concerned neighbour had filmed the incident, where the 47-year-old dragged and shouted abuse at the victim in the garden of the home.

Video footage was handed to the police, and officers from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit charged Mertova with being a care worker who ill-treated or neglected an individual in their care.

His Honour Judge Mark Van Der Zwart said her behaviour was not a momentary loss of control and said she had breached the trust of the victim’s family.

The judge imposed a six-month prison sentence on Mertova, of Western Place, Heene, Worthing.

Detective Constable Yvonne Daddow, from the Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said the incident has caused the victim and his family significant distress.

DC Daddow said: “Adults requiring care and support may not be able to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

"We have specialist trained officers and staff who work to protect adults at risk of abuse.

“If you are worried that you or someone you know is suffering adult or elder abuse or neglect, please contact us immediately.

"We will investigate and ensure the person gets the best course of action to meet their needs.

“This can be done online, by calling 101 or in person at a local police station. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, always call 999.”

More information and support about adult or elderly abuse is available online here.

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