Carer of the year who forced Alzheimers patient to meow like a cat and physically attacked brain injured patient in campaign of abuse is jailed

A former carer of the year has been jailed after a colleague secretly filmed him forcing an Alzheimers patient to meow like a cat.

The footage also showed Farzad Sedigh-Rahnama, 45, throwing an exercise ball at the extremely vulnerable 64-year-old and slapping him, a court heard.

This was part of a protracted course of conduct against four residents at a care home which specialises in neurological problems.

The court was told that Sedigh-Rahnama also punched a 63-year-old man with brain injury twice in the head and then attempted to blame another patient for the attack.

On one other occasion the carer was seen repeatedly slapping a 75-year-old Alzheimers patient on the head.

Former carer of the year Farzad Sedigh-Rahnama, 45 has been jailed after a colleague secretly filmed him forcing an Alzheimers patient to meow like a cat

In another incident he told a patient to eat faster you 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 in 2022.

The healthcare assistant, from Southampton began working at the home in 2017 and had previously been named carer of the year by Cornerstone Healthcare Group, who runs the home, but he was suspended after his serious actions came to light.

He was caught 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 he said he had done it because he was stressed, but denied any further attacks.

However, in court he admitted to four charges of ill-treatment or wilful 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 the patients are reliant on the 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 outstanding breach of trust towards the patients, their families and the care home.

He said: This was not a one-off. It was a protracted course of conduct.

These offences are so serious that the sentence must be immediate.

That is in part because this sentence is not just a matter of punishment, they are intended to deter.

Mitigating, defence lawyer Simon Walters said Sedigh-Rahnamas behaviour was utterly indefensible and that he was deeply ashamed of his actions.

He knows that the way he conducted himself is a matter of disgust to anyone else who has been connected to 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 is not an excuse but it is perhaps an explanation why someone that was liked and trusted and was a valued member of that community saw such a significant deterioration in his behaviour.

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.