by Tom Rowley
July 01, 2009
A SENIOR carer brushed an excrement-smeared nail brush across the mouth of a care home resident.
Linda Platt also pushed another dementia sufferer, Tameside Magistrates heard.
She left court in tears after being found guilty of two counts of common assault against two residents in their 80s at Heritage House nursing home in Stalybridge. She denied the charges.
The court was told the excrement incident happened in the early hours of 30 November after one of the elderly residents had soiled her bed.
Under cross-examination from defence solicitor Richard Birtwistle, Ms Platt, 59 – who had worked as a carer for 25 years and joined Heritage House in October 2007 – told Tameside Magistrates Court: "She was screaming in her bed. She did not like her hands being touched or let anyone near her nails. I tried to talk to her and reassure her and explain in detail that her nails were dirty and demonstrate what I was going to do."
She denied that the nailbrush had made contact with the resident’s lips. She admitted she had called her a ‘dirty girl"’ but this was not said aggressively.
But prosecutor Kirstin Beswick said Platt’s workmate Janet Judge was stood beside her and had a clear view of the incident. Ms Platt said her colleague must have ‘misinterpreted’ her actions.
Another workmate, Hazel Tetlow, complained that one week later Platt ‘manhandled’ another resident in a corridor at the home. Platt, of Warrington Street, Stalybridge, had denied she had pushed the resident.
Chairwoman of the bench, Hilary Healey, told Platt that magistrates found the evidence against her credible and cogent.
"We believe that the brush did rub against the patient’s lips but you did not ram or shove it in."
Mr Birtwistle said Platt was on medication for depression and anxiety. Magistrates extended unconditional bail until a probation report is ready at the court on 20 July.
Platt declined to comment after leaving the court in tears.
A spokeswoman for the home said: "The health and safety of our residents is paramount and our stringent whistle blowing policies and procedures brought these matters to light. We welcome the verdict of the court, which sends out the message that the abuse of vulnerable elderly people will not be tolerated."
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