Police have charged a care support worker after he allegedly left a man with a disability locked inside a car outside on a 40-degree day.
A WA Police spokesman said the incident occurred on Saturday, January 13 at Lakeside Joondalup Shopping Centre around 1.40pm.
He claimed the 37-year-old Northbridge man entered the shops and left a 26-year-old man, who has severe autism and is non-verbal, in the back seat of a car with the front windows left partially open.
The man was found still buckled into his seatbelt.Credit: WAtoday
Temperatures on the day reached 40.7 degrees.
After being in the car for around 50 minutes, a concerned member of the public alerted security who contacted emergency services.
Police found the man visibly distressed and heat-affected with his seat belt buckled.
“Police eventually forced entry and removed the man from the vehicle,” the spokesman said.
“He was taken to Joondalup Health Campus by St John WA, before he was released later that night.”
The care support worker eventually returned to the car and spoke with police.
It will also be alleged the worker used cash from the other man’s wallet without permission while in the shopping centre to buy food.
Following inquiries, a 37-year-old man was charged with endanger life, health or safety of a person, and stealing as a servant.
He is due to appear in Joondalup Magistrates Court on 8 March.
Read more
Perth Swifties spend big on pilgrimage to pop superstar’s only Australian shows
The money paid to Perth private schools’ top earners revealed
The Metronet effect: How will Perth’s biggest public transport project impact house prices?
Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.