Corey Lucas stressed about work when he abused Clarence Hausler at nursing home, court documents show

UPSET about his employer’s new corporate owners, a nursing-home carer took out his job “stress” on an elderly man in two horrific assaults, captured by hidden video, court documents reveal.

• Has a similar incident happened to you or your family? Email us: [e-mail]

• THE ABUSER: Cruel coward lied to hide his vile actions
• THE VIDEO: Elderly man’s abuse by carer caught on hidden camera
• THE UNION: ‘Stop dodgy nursing home staff from getting new jobs’
• THE DAUGHTER: Brave courage forces action on CCTV

THE nursing home carer jailed for shocking assaults on an elderly man was given an “administrative discharge” from prison nine days before his scheduled release date.

And court documents have revealed he said he was “stressed” about his job when he abused his patient.

Corey Lyle Lucas, 27, of Camden Park, served three weeks in jail after pleading guilty to two counts of assault.

A Corrections spokeswoman said low-risk prisoners could be released up to 30 days before their sentences ended.

“(Administrative discharges) are relatively common and usually used when a release date falls on the weekend.”

The spokeswoman would not confirm or deny whether the early release was processed because the prison was full.

Lucas took out his “demotivation, disillusionment and stress” over his job on a bed-ridden elderly man by staging two horrific assaults, court documents reveal.

Lucas told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that when he assaulted bedridden Clarence Hausler, 89, he was upset about Mitcham Residential Care Facility’s move from family to corporate ownership.

In sentencing remarks released to The Advertiser, Magistrate Bob Harrap said that, along with health concerns, explained Lucas’s vile actions — but in no way excused them. “It is an understatement to say the victim is a vulnerable person who was in a particularly vulnerable position,” he said.

“Lucas’s treatment of the victim . . . was appalling and showed a total dis-respect for a person as vulnerable as this particular victim was. This was appalling treatment of an extremely vulnerable, elderly, unwell victim.

Corey Lucas was jailed over shocking abuse of his demential patient Clarence Hausler at a Mitcham nursing home.

“The community needs to be assured that people who are prepared – for whatever reason – to act in this manner will be brought to account and can expect to receive periods to be served in custody.”

Lucas’ conduct was uncovered by hidden camera footage filmed by Mr Hausler’s daughter, Noleen last August and September.

In sentencing on June 6, Mr Harrap said that “in many respects, the footage . . . speaks for itself”.

He said Mr Hausler had lived at the facility for 12 years prior to the incident, which comprised six separate assaults on two occasions.

Mr Harrap said Mr Hausler, who is non-verbal, “clearly reacts” in “discomfort” when Lucas flicks his nose and when food is “forced” down his throat. There was “absolutely no doubt” he was in discomfort “if not pain” when his nose was “deliberately twisted” and his arm “forcefully trapped” ag-ainst the bed by Lucas.

He imposed a seven-month sentence, ordering Lucas be released after one month with a good-behaviour bond.