This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-34649814
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Devon care worker who filmed sex assaults has jail term increased | Devon care worker who filmed sex assaults has jail term increased |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A care worker who sexually assaulted elderly patients and sent footage of the attacks to her boyfriend has had her jail term increased to 15 years. | A care worker who sexually assaulted elderly patients and sent footage of the attacks to her boyfriend has had her jail term increased to 15 years. |
Christina Sethi, 26, of Woodville Road, Torquay, Devon, was jailed at Plymouth Crown Court for 10 years in August. | Christina Sethi, 26, of Woodville Road, Torquay, Devon, was jailed at Plymouth Crown Court for 10 years in August. |
But after a reference to the Court of Appeal, three senior judges have increased the term to 15 years. | But after a reference to the Court of Appeal, three senior judges have increased the term to 15 years. |
Sethi admitted three counts of sexual assault and two of assault by penetration in July. | Sethi admitted three counts of sexual assault and two of assault by penetration in July. |
Lady Justice Hallett said 15 years was the absolute minimum Sethi should have been given for such serious offences. | Lady Justice Hallett said 15 years was the absolute minimum Sethi should have been given for such serious offences. |
Barrister Diana Heer, representing solicitor general Robert Buckland, argued that the sentence was too short because of the serious aggravating features of Sethi's crimes. | Barrister Diana Heer, representing solicitor general Robert Buckland, argued that the sentence was too short because of the serious aggravating features of Sethi's crimes. |
Blind man | Blind man |
She had deliberately targeted her victims because of their vulnerability, all of them dementia patients unable to complain about the abuse. | She had deliberately targeted her victims because of their vulnerability, all of them dementia patients unable to complain about the abuse. |
The offences took place overnight when Sethi was working alone as the sole carer looking after the residents. | The offences took place overnight when Sethi was working alone as the sole carer looking after the residents. |
The victims included a woman of 80, a blind man in his late 70s and another woman who was over 100 years old. | The victims included a woman of 80, a blind man in his late 70s and another woman who was over 100 years old. |
Despite their vulnerabilities, all three were aware something untoward was happening to them. | Despite their vulnerabilities, all three were aware something untoward was happening to them. |
'Burdened with guilt' | 'Burdened with guilt' |
Sethi was caught when her boyfriend sold his laptop and the new owner found the files in the computer's recycling bin. | Sethi was caught when her boyfriend sold his laptop and the new owner found the files in the computer's recycling bin. |
But increasing the sentence, Lady Justice Hallett said the families of the victims had suffered too, "burdened with guilt" in having left their relatives in Sethi's hands. | But increasing the sentence, Lady Justice Hallett said the families of the victims had suffered too, "burdened with guilt" in having left their relatives in Sethi's hands. |
She said: "The families found it hard to comprehend that anyone could treat elderly people in this fashion. | She said: "The families found it hard to comprehend that anyone could treat elderly people in this fashion. |
Sethi, appearing via a video link from Eastwood Park Prison in Gloucestershire, spoke only to confirm her name and said 'thank you' after her term was increased. | Sethi, appearing via a video link from Eastwood Park Prison in Gloucestershire, spoke only to confirm her name and said 'thank you' after her term was increased. |
The case was referred to the Court of Appeal by Mr Buckland, who said: "I asked the Court of Appeal to look at this 10 year sentence under the unduly lenient sentence scheme because multiple sexual offences were committed against three victims. | |
"The attacks themselves involved a degree of planning and premeditation and Sethi had no regard to the vulnerability of her victims who she should have being caring for. | |
"I hope the increase in the custodial sentence to 15 years offers a degree of reassurance to the families of the victims." |