Man dies after being left alone by carer who was 'sitting on a bed vaping'
An elderly care home resident died after falling in the shower while his carer was distracted by vaping.Summary
Damon Van Deventeer, a 24-year-old care assistant, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for the wilful neglect of an elderly resident at Glasfryn House care home in Swansea. The court heard that on May 28, 2023, Van Deventeer left 86-year-old Graham Newcombe, who had Alzheimer's dementia and mobility issues, alone in the shower. While the resident was unobserved, Van Deventeer was seen sitting on a bed vaping or using his phone. Mr Newcombe was later found on the shower floor with a head injury and broken bones. Although an investigation determined no direct causal link existed between the fall and his death, the judge ruled the carer's actions amounted to "gross carelessness" and a "lamentable" failure of duty. Van Deventeer, who had a "soft spot" for the resident, pleaded guilty and was given a suspended sentence with community service.
(Source：South Wales Echo)
