The 20-year-old man, described as vulnerable, had appeared nude at patio doors while McPhee took a break outside.
A carer with 25 years “unblemished” service resigned in shame after taking a photo of a naked man she’d been looking after.
A court heard Carla McPhee, 46, sent the picture to an acquaintance with the message ‘This is what I’m having to deal with these days’.
The 20-year-old man, described as vulnerable, had appeared nude at patio doors while McPhee took a break outside.
Alice Carey, prosecuting, told Hamilton Sheriff Court: “He was completely naked and the accused took a picture of him then sent it to another party via Facebook Messenger.
“The recipient reported it to the police as she was concerned that it was a picture of a vulnerable person.”
The incident happened in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, in June last year.
Mum of two McPhee, of Glasgow, admitted breaching the Communications Act 2003 by sending an indecent image.
Defence agent Sean Flanagan said she had been caring for the man, who has severe autism, for seven months.
He told the court: “He was a particularly difficult client and was frequently violent towards those who cared for him, including the accused.
“Despite that, they had a good relationship.
“This offence occurred after an episode when he had been volatile.
“There was a cooling off period and my client was outside on the phone when he appeared at the patio doors.
“A photo was taken and, foolishly, she sent the image to the person she was communicating with.
“The man was not identified as he was photographed from the chest down.”
Mr Flanagan added: “She was forced to resign from her position after 25 unblemished years in the care service.
“Her mental health has suffered and she will regret her actions for the rest of her life.
“More than anything, she feels she let this young man down.”
Sheriff Thomas Millar said he accepted McPhee’s actions were an attempt to highlight her working conditions rather than to humiliate the man she was caring for.
The sheriff told her: “In the circumstances I’m prepared to admonish you.”
Source: Daily Record, November 2021
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