Care Workers 'Abused Dementia Patients'

By Becky Johnson, Preston Crown Court

Three women have gone on trial charged with the abuse of vulnerable adults at a care home in Lancashire.

The trio, all care workers, are accused of mistreatment and abuse of people in their care at the Hillcroft Care Home, in Slyne-with-Hest, Lancaster, between May 2010 and February 2012.

Katie Cairns, 27, from Morecambe, Carol Moore, 54, from Lancaster and Gemma Pearson, 28, from Carnforth, all deny the charges against them.

A fourth care worker, Darren Smith, 35, has pleaded guilty to ill-treating eight of the residents who were in his care.

Opening the case against the three defendants, prosecuting barrister Kathryn Johnson told the court that the three women and Smith mocked and bullied their victims, who all suffered from dementia.

The jury at a Preston Crown Court was told that on occasions the four care workers deliberately assaulted the vulnerable adults in their care.

Other staff who witnessed their behaviour towards the residents described it as "cruel".

A cleaner, one of the staff members who reported the alleged offences, said Pearson tipped an elderly man out of his chair when he failed to stand up.

The same employee said Moore slapped the elderly man across his face after his wife complained about the lack of activities for residents.

Cairns was seen deliberately stamping on the foot of a resident, the court heard.

The jury was told that another staff member witnessed Smith in bed with an elderly male resident, who was said to be shouting and distressed. The witness reported the incident but was allegedly later called a "grass" by Smith.

The court was told many other staff in the home saw the defendants deliberately throwing bean bags and balls at residents "for entertainment as they were bored".

Ms Johnson told jurors: "These items should have been used as part of recreational therapy, however they were thrown hard and fast at residents so they were unable to catch them.

"This caused frustration and anger in the residents, whereas the defendants would laugh".

Concerns were first raised by other staff in 2011. Subsequently, anonymous emails were received by the Care Quality Commission alleging patients at the home were being mistreated. The matter was ultimately referred to the police in May 2012.

The trial, which is expected to last four weeks, continues.

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