A BROMLEY man has been found guilty of neglecting, ill-treating and, on one occasion, assaulting elderly and mentally-ill patients at a care home in Bickley.

Marc Harwood, aged 44, of Howard Road, Bromley, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by Judge Glen Brasse at Croydon Crown Court last week (April 18).

The incidents took place when Harwood was working as a care assistant at Lauriston House Care Home, Bickley Park Road, between February 1 and August 12 of last year.

Prosecuting lawyer Matthew Farmer told the court how the charges against Harwood concerned three patients, Molly Gravenell, Kathleen Hill and Frank Lord.

Mr Farmer told the jury of an incident concerning Mr Lord, who suffers from partial paralysis and impaired brain function after a stroke. 

He said: "Frank was on the bed, and Mark was moving him around quite aggressively, throwing his arm around. Frank was screaming in pain.

"Mark said: 'He is just an idiot. He is paralysed, how can he feel pain? He is just a drama queen.'

"He said to him: 'Don't try to f*** me or I will f*** you back. You are f***ing useless.'

"Then he pulled Frank up and slapped him really hard on the stomach."

Harwood received 10 months concurrently for three counts of ill-treating patients and two counts of willful neglect.

He received a further five months for assault.

Harwood denied all the charges.