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Anti-Social Workers
June 30, 2013 permalink
Last July a mob gathered outside a British home shouting death threats and throwing a brick through the window. Social worker Joanna Burgess was one of the mob members. In a separate incident New Zealand contracted caregiver Peter Wayne Purcell engaged in name calling and common assault of children in his care.
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Social worker suspended for 12 months after screaming 'baby murderers' outside couple's house and threatening to kill them
- Joanna Burgess pleaded guilty to being part of a mob outside the house
- She was heard to shout out threats to kill before a brick was thrown at the property
- She was this suspended by the Health and Care Professionals Council
A social worker has been suspended for 12 months after she turned up at a couple's house shouting 'baby murderers' and threatening to kill them.
Joanna Burgess admitted being part of a mob outside the house in July last year, where she was heard to shout out threats to kill before a brick was thrown at the property.
She was arrested and, following her conviction by magistrates, was this week hauled before the Health and Care Professionals Council (HSPC) which suspended her.
Elena Elia, a solicitor for the HCPC, told the hearing that Burgess turned up with others outside a home on July 8 last year.
'She was heard to shout 'baby murderers' and was heard to shout out threats to kill a victim inside the property,' Ms Elia said.
She added: '(Burgess) was a member of the party responsible for throwing a brick that injured the victim who required sutures.
'The victim was fearful that the group would smash her door down and further injure her.
'After her arrest, she maintained silence but stated that she had known the victim for some years and had previously given a statement to the police about the victim.'
It was not said at the disciplinary hearing who the target of her abuse was.
The panel was told Burgess had been charged by police following the incident and had pleaded guilty before magistrates in Kettering, Northants., to using threatening language and disorderly behaviour.
She was given a 12-month conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £175 pounds costs.
The HCPC panel decided to strike Burgess from the register for one year for her behaviour.
Panel Chair Brian Wroe said: 'This type of bullying behaviour undoubtedly calls into question the suitability of the perpetrator, Ms Burgess, to remain able to work in social services.
'Ms Burgess' conduct on July 8, 2012, undermines public confidence in the profession and also impacts, albeit indirectly, on the safety of any clients of Ms Burgess.'
Source: Daily Mail
A Child, Youth and Family contracted caregiver physically assaulted and verbally abused children in his care, calling them names such as "fat boy", "fat ****", "charity kid" and "peasant".
Peter Wayne Purcell, 54, admitted to the abuse at the Napier District Court this morning. He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault of a child and one charge of common assault. The charges relate to multiple instances of abuse against three boys.
The police summary of facts stated the acts of abuse Purcell committed against the children, in late 2010 and early 2011, included grabbing a child by the throat, throwing him onto a couch, kicking him, throwing a basketball at them, pulling hair out, punched on the arm, back and stomach.
Purcell was a CYF contracted caregiver, employed by the Heretaunga Maori Executive (HME) in Hastings which cares for young people before the courts and from difficult backgrounds.
In addition to the assaults, the children suffered verbal abuse and at various times were told to "shut up", "harden up" and stop being a "little bitch".
The case was set to go to trial this morning until Purcell changed his pleas to guilty. Interim name suppression, granted so he could inform his elderly father, lapsed at 1pm today.
One boy was placed in Purcell's care in November 2010 before he ran away late December. He was found on the streets by police and returned to Purcell's home six days later. He ran away a second time four days later.
Purcell, who had since resigned from HME, was remanded on bail for sentencing in August.
CYF declined to comment, as the matter was still before the courts.
Source: New Zealand Herald
