In court
Care worker accused of catalogue of neglect against elderly man

A SENIOR care worker due to face neglect charges in court is accused of throwing a cup tea over an elderly man with dementia and forcing him to drink vinegar.

Nicola Bacchus is also alleged to have thrown cold water over the 86-year-old victim, kicked his legs and put excessive amounts of garlic, onion and salt into his food while working at Seddlescombe Park residential home in Dunchurch.

Bacchus, 27, of Wharf Place in Dukingfield, Greater Manchester, has pleaded not guilty to all five charges of ill-treating or neglecting a person who 'lacks capacity' between March and June last year while working as deputy manager at Seddlescombe Park.

Prosecutor Neil Bannister said there will be no issue over the vulnerability of the alleged victim.

The issue in the trial, which is expected to last three days, will be whether the alleged acts took place.

And Judge Richard Griffith-Jones directed that before the trial, Bacchus’s police interviews should be reduced to a summary, said: "Her position is clear – that she has not done the things alleged."

He adjourned the case for trial, which has not been given a fixed date, and Bacchus was granted bail with conditions she does not go to Seddlescombe Park, does not have contact with any witnesses and does not work in any care home.

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