Vile Scottish carer struck off after filming dementia patient semi-naked on Snapchat

A vile Scottish carer has been struck off after filming a vulnerable pensioner semi-naked on Snapchat and flicking her chest with his finger.

Liam Stark will never be allowed to work in the care profession again after he was removed from the register on Wednesday, June 26, following a hearing with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Stark, while employed as a senior carer at Benore Care Centre in Lochgelly, Fife, assaulted the pensioner, 88, who has vascular dementia, and mocked the elderly lady. The patient’s family have since shared their relief after the decision by the SSSC.

READ MORE: Edinburgh dad hits out at easyJet after flight to daughter’s wedding cancelled

READ MORE: West Lothian thieves nick booze from garden centre and take off on foot

As the Record reports, the 22-year-old was initially charged with sexual assault and pled guilty to an amended charge at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in January. The court heard how he cruelly mocked the woman as footage showed her in a state of undress wearing only a t-shirt and underwear.

The incident, which took place in July 2022, was shared to Stark’s social media where he could be heard singing: “Donald where’s your troosers.” He was ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid work – the maximum available – as a direct alternative to custody.

Following his conviction, Stark was removed from the SSSC on Wednesday – meaning he will never be able to work in care again. The victim’s family said the watchdog’s latest move brings them a “wave of relief” as they blasted Stark for his horrendous actions, which took place while he was employed as a senior carer.

One of the elderly woman’s sons, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It brings us a wave of relief to know that Stark will never be able to carry out this kind of abuse towards anybody in care again. All of our prayers have been answered knowing he won’t be able to return to his job.

Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

“He can no longer abuse vulnerable people and it brings us a sense of peace as a family, I hope the details of his evil actions are laid bare again. At the time of these incidents, my mum couldn’t even recognise any of her own sons, she couldn’t string a sentence together and so couldn’t explain the abuse that was being inflicted on her.

“Sometimes, we would go to see her and she would be in a right bad mood with us. We now understand it was because of the abuse she was suffering at the hands of Stark.

“After his actions came to light and after he stopped caring for her, she never fell into one of those moods again. We have been left appalled by his vile acts and we are disappointed that somebody in a position of care could do something so cruel to somebody as vulnerable as my mum – especially a senior carer.”

Join Edinburgh Live’s Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages

The report from the SSSC reads: “Sending such a video to a third party was a gross breach of the service user’s privacy. This behaviour amounts to an abuse of trust of your position and is indicative of a deep-seated attitudinal issue that is fundamentally incompatible with professional registration with the SSSC.”

Speaking during the time of sentencing, Sheriff Charles Lugton told Stark: “This was a disgusting offence involving abusive conduct towards a vulnerable person when you had caring responsibilities.”

The Record approached Benore Care Centre for comment.