Readers will be delighted to learn that those responsible for the sickening mistreatment of two residents at a nursing home are today waking up behind bars.

These individuals were supposed to be making sure the elderly people in their care were well looked after.

Instead, they subjected two of them to cruelty and violence – even capturing some of that vile abuse on a mobile phone.

That footage was played to a packed courtroom and showed an 86-year-old man being baited and taunted and a 99-year-old woman sprawled on the floor, pleading for help.

The film revealed the true callousness of these bullies, who remained unmoved by the pleas of their helpless victims. Anything less than custodial sentences would have been wholly inappropriate for such grave offences.

Thankfully the judge, Recorder Richard Mansell QC, was of the same mind. In jailing the trio, he said all three had committed “despicable acts of abuse” and that: “Everyone who is in court cannot fail to be appalled by your sick conduct.”

They could have had no complaints if their jail terms had been twice as long.

Their sentences also mean they are not allowed to work with young children or old people again – and that is something that must be rigorously enforced when they are finally released.