Three convicted of ill-treatment of 99-year-old dementia sufferer who was scalded in bath

Niphawan Berry (left), Meghadeven Pumbien and Indranee Pumbien (right) have been found guilty of neglect and ill treatment. Credit: PA

Two care home owners and a care assistant have been found guilty of ill-treating a 99-year-old dementia sufferer who was put in a scalding hot bath.

Margaret Wheatley suffered extensive injuries to her legs and feet when she was immersed in the hot water - which was between 46 and 50 degrees Celsius - for up to five minutes in May last year.

Indrannee Pumbien, 59, her husband Meghadeven, 64, and care assistant Niphawan Berry, 42, failed to seek immediate treatment for Margaret Wheatley, a jury at Preston Crown Court concluded.

Briarwood Rest Home in Preston. Credit: Google Maps

Indrannee Pumbien was also found guillty of force-feeding Mrs Wheatley and another resident at the Briarwood Rest Home in Lostock Hall, Preston.

The jury failed to reach a verdict on an allegation of grievous bodily harm against Berry who was accused of dropping Mrs Wheatley in the bath.

Police began their investigation into the home in June last year when they were made aware of a complaint about the treatment of a resident.

All three defendants will be sentenced on October 2.