Window cleaner jailed for abusing elderly woman with dementia

WINDOW CLEANER JAILED FOR ABUSING ELDERLY WOMAN WITH DEMENTIA

A window cleaner and massage therapist, David Carey, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of sexually abusing an 87-year-old woman with dementia.

He was found to have filmed himself touching her breasts, and police discovered the video on his computer.

During his trial at Inverness Sheriff Court, the 26-minute footage was shown to the jury, and Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood warned that some viewers might find it distressing.

The video depicted Carey adjusting the camera to ensure his massage of the woman's nude body was clearly visible.

Sheriff Fleetwood expressed his agreement with the jury's verdict, stating, “This was a course of conduct over an extended period involving the gross abuse of an elderly lady who had lost her capacity to give her consent and you should have been aware of this.” Carey was also placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

The court heard that Carey had denied sexually assaulting the woman, claiming he had her consent and that he performed a range of massage techniques, including some he described as “sensual massage.” He claimed to have several female clients seeking such massages but refused to name them.

Police interviews revealed Carey’s explanation that he filmed massages to check his posture due to a back injury, asserting he did not think his clients would mind.

The court noted that the woman’s condition had significantly worsened after her diagnosis, with Dr.

Fraser Nicol stating she had advanced cognitive decline and difficulty reasoning.

Carey, of Kildary in Ross-shire, had initially denied the accusations, which involved handling her naked breasts and genitals between 2015 and 2017.

His actions included opening her dressing gown and pyjamas when her sister left the room.

The case highlighted the gross abuse of a vulnerable elderly individual, leading to his sentencing of three years imprisonment and registration as a sex offender.