Care worker 'attacked two dementia patients' at Cannock home
A care worker punched an elderly dementia patient in the chest and grabbed another by the throat at the home where they lived, jurors were told.
Michael Sedgwick was reported by two colleagues to senior staff at the Alma Court residential centre in Cannock over two alleged incidents on the same day, a trial at Stafford Crown Court heard.
Mr Daniel White, prosecuting, told the jury at Stafford Crown Court that both happened when the 21-year-old of Fornby Way, Walsall, was employed as a care assistant at the home.
Sedgwick denies two separate charges of ill-treatment of a person lacking mental capacity.
The home provided accommodation for patients suffering from dementia. Because of their condition, neither of the alleged victims was able to give evidence.
Around 10.40am on the morning of October 20 last year, the defendant and care assistant Sarah Hawkins were in the lounge of the home with an 86-year-old resident, the court was told.
A jury heard that as she was tending to Mr Edwards, she saw Sedgwick approach and punch the patient in his chest, causing him to fall backwards in to his chair.
About an hour later, Sedgwick and another care assistant, Sarah Hannay were tending to an 81-year-old resident in his room. She was taking the patient to the toilet when he became aggressive and difficult, the court heard.
Mr White said: "He was spitting, he was violent and swearing. The defendant and Ms Hannay carried on with their job, washing him." He said the alleged victim then spat at the defendant and at that stage Sedgwick 'lost his self control', grabbing him round the throat and forced him backwards on to the toilet. Senior mental health nurse Nicola Archer reported the allegations to police.
Giving evidence in court yesterday, Sedgwick claimed his former colleagues made up the complaints to block his chances of promotion. He told the jury that just before he was dismissed he had applied for promotion to a senior care assistant post.
He said: "I was on my best behaviour – doing as much as I could on the floor."
He said he overheard the two Sarahs talking about the post and Ms Hawkins said she had applied for it. "I just remember having the conversation. They didn't seem happy."
The trial continues.
