A former ‘carer of the year’ has been jailed after a colleague secretly filmed him forcing an Alzheimer’s patient to ‘meow like a cat’.
The footage also shows Farzad Sedigh-Rahnama, 45, throwing an exercise ball at the “extremely vulnerable” 64-year-old and knocking him over, a court heard.
This was part of a “prolonged course of conduct” against four residents at a care home which specializes in neurological problems.
The court was told Sedigh-Rahnama also punched a 63-year-old man with brain injuries twice in the head and then tried to blame another patient for the attack.
On another occasion, the carer was seen repeatedly slapping a 75-year-old Alzheimer’s patient on the head.
Former ‘caregiver of the year’ Farzad Sedigh-Rahnama, 45, has been jailed after a colleague secretly filmed him forcing an Alzheimer’s patient to ‘meow like a cat’.
In another incident he told a patient to “eat faster, m************r”.
Southampton Crown Court heard that Sedigh-Rahnama abused the four men, aged between 61 and 75, at Kintocks House in the village of Curdridge between June 1 and July 31, 2022.
The healthcare assistant, from Southampton, started working at the home in 2017 and was previously named ‘carer of the year’ by Cornerstone Healthcare Group, which runs the home, but was suspended after his actions ” serious” were revealed.
He was caught out when a concerned colleague secretly filmed his interaction with the 64-year-old patient.
Sedigh-Rahnama was shown footage of that abuse in his police interview and said he had done it because he was stressed, but denied any other attacks.
However, in court he admitted four counts of willful abuse or neglect by a care worker.
He has now been jailed for 15 months for the attacks.
Prosecutor Matthew Lawson said the victims were “extremely vulnerable” and “physically unable to defend themselves”.
He highlighted that patients are “dependent on carers for everything”, including washing and cleaning themselves.
Sedigh-Rahnama abused four men, aged between 61 and 75, at Kintocks House (pictured) in the village of Curdridge, a court heard.
Sentencing, Judge Christopher Parker said the attacks were an “exceptional breach of trust” towards patients, their families and the care home.
He said: “This was not a single. It was a prolonged course of behavior.
“These crimes are so serious that the sentence must be immediate.
“This is partly because this sentence is not only a matter of punishment, it is intended to deter.”
Mitigating, defense barrister Simon Walters said Sedigh-Rahnama’s behavior was “absolutely indefensible” and that he was “deeply ashamed” of his actions.
“I know the way he behaved is a matter of disgust for anyone who has been connected with this case in any way,” Mr Walters said.
“The care industry is constantly crying out for staff – working six-day weeks, 12-and-a-half-hour shifts, 75 hours a week.
“It’s not an excuse, but it’s perhaps an explanation why someone who was liked and trusted and was a valued member of that community saw such a significant deterioration in his behavior.”
Kintocks House cares for up to 63 men and women with neurological conditions, it was last inspected by the Care Quality Commission in May 2022 and rated good.
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