Carer faces jail for ‘falling asleep’ while looking after pensioner who died

Carer, 33, faces jail for ‘falling asleep’ while looking after dementia sufferer, 87, who fell and later died from her injuries

• Doris Obi, 33, allegedly slept while she was meant to watch an elderly woman
• The healthcare assistant was found guilty of wilfully neglecting 87-year-old 
• The judge said that ‘all options are open’ with regards to Obi’s sentencing

Doris Obi, 33, may have been sleeping while she was supposed to be looking after the 87-year-old pensioner. Pictured: Outside Plymouth Crown Court

A carer could be jailed after an elderly patient in her care fell and died.

Healthcare assistant Doris Obi, 33, allegedly slept while she was meant to be watching the pensioner, who had dementia, throughout the night at a care home.

Obi, of Plymouth, Devon, was found guilty of neglecting the 87-year-old woman, who fell and cut her head. A month later she passed away from deteriorating health.

The agency worker either fell asleep or was not paying attention to the woman in the early hours of the morning when she fell, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

The elderly woman cut her forehead open when she fell in her private room and she needed 17 stitches.  

Obi denied charges of wilfully neglecting a person lacking mental capacity in her care between August 29 and September 1 last year. 

She said the woman fell as she turned away for just a few seconds to switch a light on.

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Despite her claims, Obi, who worked for Nurseplus, was found guilty and wiped tears from her eyes after the verdict. 

Judge James Townsend adjourned sentencing until September 17, and warned that ‘all options are open’.   

Barrister Michael Green, for Obi, suggested that case law pointed to a jail term of six to 12 months, which could be suspended as she had no previous convictions.

She was released on unconditional bail.

Obi, a healthcare assistant for about a year before the incident, was working at the home for the first time on the night of the accident.

She was warned that the pensioner had trouble sleeping at night and was at risk of falling.

One of the care home staff said she saw Obi with her legs over the armchair and a pillow behind her.

She told the jury the defendant appeared flustered as if she had just woken up.

The name of the pensioner nor the care home can not be identified for legal reasons.

Obi was found guilty at Plymouth Crown Court (pictured) and could now face jail

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