Dementia Care Worker Kept Assault Secret

A care worker looking after residents with dementia, who was cleared of canoodling on one elderly man's lap and touching a woman between the legs, has been sentenced for fraudulently keeping her violent past behaviour a secret.

Mina Devi Gurung, 43, was employed at Kingsley Court Care Home, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon, but failed to declare an assault conviction.

Gurung, of Quetta Park, Church Crookham, Fleet, Hampshire was sentenced last Friday to a twelve-month community order, which includes 100 hours community service work and was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

She was convicted by an Isleworth Crown Court jury of one count of fraud on or about June 30, last year by dishonestly, with intent to make a gain, failing to disclose to her employers she had been convicted of assault.

The same jury found her not guilty of two counts of sexual activity with a mentally disordered person on November 25, last year.

It was alleged she allowed the man to kiss her and asked the woman: "Do you like that?" while touching her between the legs and: "Does it feel nice?"

She denies the alleged incidents occurred, claiming she is the victim of members of staff who do not like her.

Prosecutor Mr. Subhankar Banerjee told Isleworth Crown Court: "The defendant had worked at the care home since May, last year and was involved in the care of dementia residents.

"She worked on a specific ward for dementia residents and whilst working there sat on the first resident's lap and he had his arms around her, just below her breasts and was kissing her cheek.

"That sort of contact between a resident and care worker should not take place.

"Later that same day the second resident was receiving some personal care and afterwards a pad was applied.

"Ms Gurung put her hand between the female resident's legs and started stroking her over the pad."

The defendant is said to have asked the resident how it felt and she replied: "Yeah, it's lovely."

Mr. Banerjee added: "The resident would not have been in a position to know what was happening and that should not take place between a care worker and someone with dementia.

"The prosecution say both were sexual acts and the defendant says it did not happen."

Gurung was required to disclose her assault conviction to her employer, the jury were told. "The fraudulent gain was her continued employment, but she says she did tell somebody."

She was questioned by police on December 10, last year. "She said the staff had made it up because they did not like her."