A Longueuil judge has sentenced former caregiver Immacula Eugene to 15 months in jail for physically abusing six patients at a St-Lambert long-term care facility.

Justice Ellen Paré had harsh words to describe Eugene’s actions Wednesday, saying what she did to senior patients was “revolting.”

“Those who perform this kind of work become an important figure for the patients who are isolated, and don't always have relatives or frequent visitors.  They're a constant presence for people for whom this facility has become their home," she said.

Eugene was arrested in 2013 after several cases of abuse in 2012 and 2013 involving patients aged 75 to 97 came to light at the Saint-Lambert-sur-le-Golf senior's residence.

The 53-year-old woman and her accomplice, Marie-Margaret Pétimé, were both accused of drugging a patient with stolen medication. Eugene faced additional charges of assault of other seniors, which included spitting on a patient and hitting another with a pillow.

In the latter case of abuse, the victim was an 87-year-old woman whose family installed a hidden security camera in the room, which became evidence in the case.

“The victims are vulnerable seniors, who find themselves against their will in such institutions, and are usually sent there reluctantly by their relatives," explained Crown prosecutor Suzanne Hebert.

Eugene, Justice Paré said, failed in her duty to perform a thankless, but important job.

“The judge wanted to send a message because these are vulnerable victims,” said Hebert.

Eugene was accused of drugging one patient who later died, but investigators were unable to link the two events. 

The defence insists Eugene now realizes what harm she has done, despite not taking responsibility at first.

“She's now in therapy where she's starting to accept what she's done,” said defence attorney Melanie Brochu.

The owners of the seniors’ home say they're relieved the incident is behind them, adding that Eugene was fired as soon as co-workers denounced her.

“We always encourage people to denounce if something is quite wrong or questionable,” said Natalye Savoie, president of Groupe Savoie, which owns the residence.

With time served, Eugene has 340 days left to serve her sentence. After that, she will be on probation for three years, during which she will not be allowed to care for seniors and people with disabilities.