Care Worker Repeatedly Slapped Dementia Resident

A care worker repeatedly slapped a resident who had dementia across the face after he spilt a cup of tea on the floor and was assisted by another member of staff in trying to cover-up the assault by begging a 'shocked' visitor not to call the police.

Afua Donkor, 48, was employed at White Farm Lodge Care Home, Vicarage Road, Whitton, where she was seen striking the elderly male resident - who has since died - three times.

She was sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today to a twelve-month community order, which includes 110 hours community service work, and must pay £310 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Donkor, of Danesbury Road, Feltham was convicted of assaulting Mr. Patrick Austin at the care home on February 5.

Prosecutor Miss Amanda McCabe told the court: "The victim was particularly vulnerable and this was a sustained assault with three slaps in an aggressive way.

"She said: 'Don't tell anyone. Don't call the police'."

During the trial eye-witness Lynne Collyer, who was visiting her mother, told the court she was "in shock" as a result of the dining-room incident.

"I saw Afua hit Patrick. She slapped him in the face and shook him. I remember he had quite a bright green jumper on and I remember her shaking the jumper.

"It was with a flat hand and not really hard, but controlled softer slaps, definitely slaps to his face.

"There was absolutely no indication of any aggression from Patrick."

The witness said another care home worker, who she knew as Julia, also begged her not to report the offence. "The nurses were pleading with me not to say anything to anyone.

"Afua, who was sat in the corner of an office, was crying and saying: 'Not the police, not the police'."

The court heard Mr. Austin had earlier become agitated and threw a cup of tea onto the floor, which Donkor had to clean up.

She later told police the resident had punched her first and she only held his wrists to prevent him hitting her again.

Donkor told the court: "Once he punched me I knew he was going to punch again. I know Patrick is very aggressive so I held him and shouted: 'Help, help'

"Even when I held him he tried to kick me and then I heard: 'Afua, I have seen you hitting Patrick' and that was Lynne Collyer."

The first-time offender, who had been employed for sixteen months, was sacked.

Care UK, which runs the home, said: "Following these allegations being made against a member of our team we immediately suspended the carer in question and notified the relevant external authorities, who we have fully co-operated with during their investigations."