Care workers sentenced for ill treatment of woman with dementia

Four people who worked at a Merseyside care home for the elderly have been sentenced for ill-treating a resident with dementia.

The staff, who worked at Wavertree Nursing Home, in Pigue Lane, Liverpool, were caught on CCTV, taunting the 85-year-old woman, poking her and throwing incontinence pads at her, on 9 February 2024.

Some of the group placed incontinence pads on the victim’s head and shoved themselves up against her. It was clear the resident was distressed but didn’t understand what was happening.

None of the staff challenged what was going on. They were laughing and joining in.

The incident came to the attention of the manager of the home, who watched CCTV that had captured the incident in the dining room of the care home. Those involved in the incident were suspended and an internal investigation was launched.

The police were also called in and five staff were charged with ill treatment of a person by a care worker. Four of the group arrested pleaded not guilty. Three of them were found guilty after a trial in September 2025 at Liverpool Crown Court. One pleaded guilty. They were sentenced today (10 October 2025) at Liverpool Crown Court.

• William Vasey, 43, of Penlinken Drive in the Kensington area of Liverpool, was the senior nurse on duty at the time. He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was found guilty following a trial. He was given a 12-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.  He must complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity and 180 hours of unpaid work.
• Valerie Marshall, 60, of Selside Walk, in Netherley, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after trial. She was given a six-month jail term, suspended for 12 months.  She must complete 15 days of a rehabilitation activity.
• Adele McIlhatton, 51, of Ivydale Road in Mossley Hill, Liverpool, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty after trial. She was given a six-month jail term, suspended for 12 months. She must complete 10 days of a rehabilitation activity and 140 hours of unpaid work.
• Josh Ireland, 23, of Bancroft Road in Widnes, pleaded guilty at an early hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. He has been given a 12-month community order, he must do 20 days of a rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
• Wendy Shelley, 56, of Tetlow Street in Kirkdale, Liverpool, was found not guilty after the trial.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Adrian Evans, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “The victim was a vulnerable, elderly woman, suffering from dementia.

“These defendants, who were paid to look after her and in whom trust had been placed, abused that trust on that day and taunted and abused a woman they were meant to be looking after.

“Thankfully, their appalling behaviour came to light and was caught on CCTV.

“Management at the care home acted quickly in launching an internal investigation, suspending those involved, and reporting the matter to the police.

“The Crown Prosecution would like to thank them for their help in bringing this prosecution, as those responsible have now been brought to justice.

“The majority of care workers are of course professional, diligent and compassionate people and these defendants don’t belong in a profession that we rely on to look after the most vulnerable in our society.”