Burrows: Sentence for former care worker who filmed and mocked vulnerable dementia patients should be reviewed

Inset: Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows MLA

The leader of the Ulster Unionist Party has called for the sentence handed to a former healthcare assistant who secretly filmed and mocked vulnerable dementia patients to be reviewed, arguing it may be unduly lenient.

Jon Burrows MLA said he has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions asking that the sentence imposed on Ciara Corvan be considered under Northern Ireland’s Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism, which allows certain sentences to be referred to the Court of Appeal for review.

Corvan, 28, from Armagh, was sentenced at Craigavon Crown Court on Monday (27 July) after admitting seven counts of ill-treatment of patients under the Mental Health (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.

She was given a two-year probation order and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service after secretly photographing and filming vulnerable patients at Bluestone Hospital Dementia Unit before sharing the images and videos with degrading commentary via a social media messaging app.

Burrows: ‘The right sentencing benchmark is established’

Mr Burrows said the seriousness of the offending warranted further consideration.

“The deliberate mistreatment of vulnerable patients entrusted to the care of professionals is among the most serious breaches of trust imaginable. This offending was premeditated, repeated and intentional.

“The fact that the abuse was recorded and shared on social media for entertainment makes it even more degrading and disturbing.”

He said the case, described by police as the first prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland, could set an important precedent.

“As this was the first prosecution of its kind in Northern Ireland, it is important that the right sentencing benchmark is established.”

Calls for Court of Appeal review

The North Antrim MLA said he believes the sentence should be examined under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism.

“Our justice system must properly balance rehabilitation with punishment, deterrence and public protection. In cases involving the deliberate abuse of vulnerable people in care, the courts must send a clear message that such offending will attract the strongest possible justice response.

“That is why I have asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to consider referring this sentence to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism.”

Mr Burrows added:

“In my view offending of this nature deserves a custodial sentence – not community service and probation.”

What happens next?

The Director of Public Prosecutions will now decide whether the sentence meets the legal threshold for referral under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Mechanism.

If a referral is made, the Court of Appeal will determine whether the original sentence was unduly lenient and, if so, whether it should be increased.