THE care worker who, with the help of a colleague, taped up the mouth of a dying dementia patient to silence him, has been given a 12-week suspended jail term.

Abel Bellary, 58, abused 89-year-old Derek Maynard at Kings Park Community Hospital in Bournemouth in 2008.

Mr Maynard died four days later, although not as a direct result.

Both Bellary and Josephine Apalisok, 47, from Bournemouth had denied assault by beating but were both convicted at Bournemouth Magistrates Court on Monday.

Although they were found guilty in September, sentencing was adjourned until Monday (Nov 30).

Bellary’s jail term was suspended for two years and he was also given 200 hours of community work plus costs.

Apalisok was given the same 12-week sentence in October, which was suspended for two years, as well as 200 hours of community service and costs.

Prosecutors told the court that both defendants had ridiculed Mr Maynard, who also suffered from advanced heart disease and lung cancer, prosecutors told the court.

He was also told that if he wanted to go to bed he would have to lie on the floor.

Both have since been sacked from Dorset Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.