Disability carer’s assaults only uncovered because father checked security vision on phone

The family of a man with a disability who was assaulted by his carer said it took him six months to smile again after the incident, which was captured on home security footage.

Patricia Rosanna Tirimacco was charged with aggravated assault after the incident in early December last year.

On Wednesday, the court was played two CCTV videos, which showed Ms Tirimacco pushing a cushion into the man’s face for approximately four seconds and also slapping him with her right hand to his face.

The father of the man, who has cerebral palsy, had checked his security camera on his mobile phone while at a graduation, and saw his son being fed too quickly.

He then viewed the assaults and called his mother who lived next door to go to his aid.

Tirimacco’s lawyer Jason Evitts said his client had apologised and regretted her actions, but there were no injuries suffered as a result of the low impact slap.

He said she was on medication that was not working and was under work pressure.

However, Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos said if it was not for the CCTV footage, no-one would have known about the incident and the victim could not defend himself.

She read out the family’s victim impact statement, which said they had considered moving homes and were shocked, saddened and disappointed by the assaults.

They had also struggled to trust carers with their son, and said “a home is where you should feel safe and secure”.

Magistrate Kossiavelos ordered a home detention report and the prospect of rehabilitation be determined before sentencing in November.

Outside the court hearing, Mr Evitts said Ms Tirimacco was sorry.

“My client will now have to live with the indignity of presenting in court and the indignity of the shame she has to experience,” he said.

Ms Tirimacco refused to comment as she left court.

The issue of how people with disabilities are cared for became a focus in South Australia following the death of Ann Marie Smith last year.

Her carer Rosa Maione pleaded guilty to manslaughter.