Louise Harris, 42, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after being caught on camera screaming at Elizabeth Anne Shipton in her own home. The footage showed Harris demanding money from the vulnerable woman, who had recently been hospitalized and was grieving the death of her husband.
In the video, Harris can be heard shouting, "I hope you die in your sleep you... horrible cow." At one point, she knelt on Ms. Shipton, causing pain, and demanded to know the location of her money. Ms. Shipton complained of pain, to which Harris responded, "I don't care, where's your money?"
Harris, who had known Ms. Shipton as a former neighbor, was on her first trial shift as a carer. Ms. Shipton's daughter, Tracy Faram Shipton, had hired Harris after advertising on Facebook for assistance while awaiting a social services care package. Tracy Shipton stated she had vetted Harris, who claimed to have experience and training in dementia care and other relevant fields.
According to Tracy Shipton, Harris became aggressive shortly after she left the residence. The court heard that Harris found and consumed a bottle of vodka from the refrigerator, revealing she was a recovering alcoholic who had "succumbed to temptation." The abuse escalated when Ms. Shipton accidentally pressed her emergency alarm, triggering a call to a crisis helpline. Harris then went into the kitchen, waved a large knife, and damaged property.
When police arrived, they found Harris "slumped on the floor." Harris pleaded guilty to ill-treating a care worker and criminal damage. A charge of attempted robbery, related to her demands for money, was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Ms. Shipton's daughter has filed an appeal, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. She believes the three-month sentence, of which approximately 40% will be served in custody, is insufficient given the trauma inflicted on her mother. "The judge's hands were tied by the sentencing guidelines," Tracy Shipton commented, adding that her mother has been severely affected, suffering flashbacks and requiring sedatives. Ms. Shipton now fears her alarm device and is reluctant to be left alone.
The judge described Harris as "heartless and cruel" and noted her "callous disregard" for the victim's welfare. The victim's family has called for all homes with visiting carers to be fitted with cameras.