A CARE home boss spoke out yesterday after a former supervisor who mistreated an 84-year-old Alzheimer patient was jailed for 12 weeks.

Jamie Harris, 21, denied one charge of ill-treating a patient at Regency House in Tranch under the Mental Health Act but was found guilty after a trial.

Newport Magistrates’ Court imposed a 12-week custodial sentence and ordered Harris to pay £620 prosecution costs plus an £80 surcharge on Thursday.

Regency House suspended Harris following an incident involving the female patient, who has limited mental capacity.

The care home said Harris had “abused his position of trust” but luckily the pensioner does not appear to have suffered any lasting ill-effect.

Harris was reported by colleagues after the incident on January 13 and has since been dismissed.

General manager Ray Bush said yesterday [Monday]: "We are so very disappointed and shocked that a former member of our care team could abuse his position of trust and mistreat one of our residents.

“It has always been our policy that we will not tolerate any instances of mistreatment no matter how minor they are, as the welfare of our residents is always our priority.

“Fortunately the lady did not suffer any physical harm and there appears to be no lasting ill-effect.

“As soon as we were made aware of the concern, we took immediate safeguarding measures which included suspending him, and also referring the matter to the adult safeguarding team at Torfaen County Borough Council.

“We are so grateful to our colleagues in our care team for raising their concerns in the first instance and would like to thank everyone involved in this matter for fully co-operating with the investigation process.

“We are satisfied this was an isolated event and will continue to support our residents, families and colleagues to raise any issues and to maintain our high standards of care."

Speaking after the hearing, the patient’s granddaughter said: “She deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

“The home isn’t at fault. This is one bad apple.

“Me and the rest of my family need to move on from there.

“We still have trust in the care home as my nan is still there.”