Praise for officers who tackled abuse of care home residents

A TEAM of Essex Police officers have been commended for securing a conviction against three abusive carers.

The defendants pleaded guilty to abuse of residents of the Old Deanery Care Home in Braintree in February 2016, after the team carried out a complex and time-consuming investigation.

One elderly woman with dementia had been shown being slapped and goaded in a BBC TV documentary that secretly filmed the abuse.

DCI Stephen Jennings, DS Stewart Eastbrook, DC Shelley Tarling, DC Joanne Scutchey, DC Joanna Sell, DC Steve Bailey and T/Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson were commended earlier this month for bringing the perpetrators to justice.

T/ Chief Superintendent Ewen Wilson, Commander for the investigation, said: “I’d just like to extend my gratitude towards the team for their hard work and dedication. It’s an absolute pleasure for us to all be commended for this sensitive and complex case. The Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Steve Jennings, and the team were outstanding and did not rest until justice was served and the residents were protected from any further abuse.”

Chief Constable, Stephen Kavanagh, said: “The events at the Old Deanery defy belief. They were the most vulnerable people who needed care and instead they were abused. Due to the team team using their passion, determination, and professionalism, they were able to gather evidence and bring these individuals to justice.”