Thirteen convicted over systematic care home abuse in Devon

THIRTEEN CONVICTED OVER SYSTEMATIC CARE HOME ABUSE IN DEVON

Thirteen people have been convicted after an inquiry into “organised and systemic” abuse at two care homes for adults with learning disabilities.

Residents at Vielstone near Bideford, in Devon, were routinely punished by being held in empty rooms without food, heating or a toilet, a court heard.

Staff imprisoned them in the rooms, often overnight, during 2010 and 2011, as an abusive culture developed.

Manager Jolyon Marshall was jailed for 28 months.

Twelve other people, including other staff members and Marshall’s wife, were convicted after a series of trials at Bristol Crown Court.

Residents were held in punishment rooms at Vielstone care home.

One man spent 195 sessions in the “quiet room”, including 13 overnight stays.

A former employee described the atmosphere as “like an ice block,” resembling a prison regime.

The court heard that staff tried to correct residents’ behaviour harshly, akin to training animals, with the rooms used to control or punish.

Sentencing details include Jolyon Marshall’s 28 months’ imprisonment, with others receiving suspended sentences or conditional discharges.

Many defendants were found guilty or not guilty on various charges of false imprisonment, with some receiving community orders or fines.

The case highlights systemic abuse at the care homes, with a dark shadow cast over residents’ lives.