Nursing home worker who brutally bashed an elderly dementia patient because she was 'doing his head in' is jailed for nine months
- Michael Andrew Mullen, 55, was sentenced in Adelaide Magistrates Court
- He was sentenced to 12 months in jail, with a non-parole period of 9 months
- The aged-care worker struck his patient more than once with excessive force
- Elizabeth Hannaford, 72, was found with severe bruising and swelling
- Mullen said to Hannaford 'you're doing my head in' and threatened her
A former nursing home worker has been jailed for nine months after he brutally bashed an elderly woman in his care because she was 'doing his head in'.
Michael Andrew Mullen, 55, was sentenced in Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday after he was found guilty with one count of assault against resident Elizabeth Hannaford, 72.
Mullen worked as an aged-care worker at Lourdes Valley Nursing Home in the Adelaide suburb of Myrtle Bank in 2015 when Ms Hannahford was found with severe bruising and swelling on her face.
A former nursing home worker has been jailed for nine months after he brutally bashed elderly woman Elizabeth Hannaford because she was 'doing his head in'
Ms Hannaford - who suffered from dementia - was in the care of Mullen was struck more than once with excessive force when Mullen became 'frustrated' with her throughout the night.
The 55-year-old was found guilty of the aggravated assault in February.
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But, Mullen had initially denied the allegations against him and pleaded not guilty - but Ms Hannaford's roommate backed up the charges against him.
Meg Rogers gave evidence saying Mullen had gone into the pair's room and was frustrated over Ms Hannaford pulling cords that sounded an alarm.
Ms Rogers said words to the effect of 'there'll be consequences if you continue this behaviour' and 'you are doing my bloody head in'.
Ms Hannaford - who suffered from dementia - was in the care of Mullen was struck more than once with excessive force when Mullen became 'frustrated' with her throughout the night
In a statement before her death, Ms Rogers said she heard Mullen's punches and Ms Hannaford saying 'no' in a 'pained and wounded' voice.
Ms Rogers said Mullen said 'you're doing my bloody head in' and threatened that there would be 'consequences' if she kept going.
In a police interview, Mullen denied the assault and suggested Ms Hannaford may have rolled over and hit herself on a cabinet beside the bed.
Ms Hannaford died several months after the incident - but her family continues with court action against Mullen.
He was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, with a non-parole period of nine months.
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