Carer Jailed For Attacking Wheelchair-Bound Victim

A carer has been jailed for slapping the wheelchair-bound man she was looking after – striking him twice on the back and trying to push him out of his chair.

Claudine Ingabire, 31, also smashed some of the 55 year-old man's property, including the mobile phone he was trying to call the police on when she arrived at his home demanding money.

Ingabire, of Stanley Road, Croydon received four months imprisonment for the assault, which occurred on July 18, last year and was also ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation.

Croydon Magistrates Court heard the victim needs 24-hour care to help with his day-to-day living. 



He has been using a wheelchair for the last 20 years following an accident which resulted in him sustaining spinal injuries causing him to lose the function of his legs, have limited mobility in his arms and none in his fingers. 



Ingabire was hired on a temporary basis to care for him.



She attended the victim's house to collect her belongings and once inside the property she demanded money which he refused to give to her. 



After seeing his property smashed and being hit the victim managed to escape to another room and lock himself in until the police arrived. 



The investigation was handed over to Lambeth's Community Safety Unit and on August 19 Ingabire was arrested whilst on a return flight from Belgium.



Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, from Lambeth Community Safety Unit, said: "This case involved the shameful abuse of a vulnerable man by someone in a position of trust. 



"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resolve shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

“His evidence and support along with the investigative tenacity of the officers involved were pivotal in bringing this case to a positive conclusion. 



"I hope this serves to illustrate that police will do everything within their power to deal with such offences in a robust and timely manner."