Carers left a severely autistic woman locked in a car alone while they went on a two-and-a-half hour shopping spree in the U.K
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Sylvia Ezeorji, 47 and Veronica Howe, 52, were both care support workers for 58-year-old Claire McMullen, who suffers with autism, learning difficulties and does not speak.
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She was found by police locked in a car in Chatham High Street on a hot day in July after concerned members of the public dialed 999 when they saw the vehicle rocking.
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Howe, of Castle Road, Chatham, and Ezeorji, of Porters Avenue, Dagenham, have pleaded guilty to neglect. They were told by the court their actions showed “total disregard for a person’s life”.
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Magistrates heard Ms McMullen is deemed a very vulnerable adult. She needs two-to-one care 24 hours a day as she is in danger of choking on food so she must be supervised at all times.
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Ezeorji and Howe returned to the vehicle at about 4pm, two-and-a-half hours after they had abandoned her inside. Police were still on the scene and arrested the pair on suspicion of neglect.
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Both were later charged and pleaded guilty at Medway Magistrates’ Court. Chairman of the bench, Veenod Rama, said: “This is an extremely serious case and you showed a total disregard for a person’s life.
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There is no excuse, it was callous and selfish behaviour on a very vulnerable person.” Because of the seriousness of the case, their sentencing was sent to crown court as it can impose longer jail sentences. A date for their sentencing has not yet been fixed.
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