A carer has been jailed for attacking the disabled man she was employed to look after, trying to push him out of his wheelchair and smashing his possessions.

The victim had to lock himself in another room to escape the attack by Claudine Ingabire who had gone to his house to collect some of her belongings.

When he refused to give her money the 31-year-old smashed items, including one of his phones which he was using to try and call police for help.

She then slapped the victim twice on the back and attempted to push him out of his wheelchair.

He managed to escape to another room and lock himself in there until the police arrived.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard the victim, a 55-year-old man, is in need of 24-hour care to help with his day-to-day living.

He has been using a wheelchair for the last 20 years following an accident which resulted in him sustaining spinal injuries causing him to lose the function of his legs.

And he had limited mobility in his arms and none in his fingers.

Ingabire, of Stanley Road, Croydon, had been hired on a temporary basis to care for the man last summer.

At the court on January 29 she pleaded guilty to assault by beating and criminal damage during the attack, which happened on July 18 last year.

And last Thursday, February 19, she was jailed for four months, ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim and an £80 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, from Lambeth police, said: "This case involved the shameful abuse of a vulnerable man by someone in a position of trust.

"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery and resolve shown by the victim throughout the investigation.

"His evidence and support along with the investigative tenacity of the officers involved were pivotal in bringing this case to a positive conclusion."