Care home boss slapped dementia resident - court

Both Helen Burridge and Amy Dickinson worked at Ribblesden Rest Home in Keighley

A former West Yorkshire care home boss pushed an elderly resident with dementia back in her chair and "slapped" her, a court heard.

Helen Burridge, 62, denies four counts of ill-treatment against vulnerable people at Riddlesden Rest Home in Keighley, which she owned and managed before its closure.

Ms Burridge, of Greenfield Road, Holmfirth, is on trial at Bradford Crown Court alongside former care assistant Amy Dickinson, who is accused of seven similar charges.

Ms Dickinson, 24, of Fairfax Street, Silsden, also denies the allegations against her.

The pair were arrested in December 2019 after an employee reported concerns about behaviour at the 10-bedroom care home on Carr Lane, Riddlesden, the court was told.

The jury heard details of the allegations against the two women, which included using derogatory language towards residents, locking an 84-year-old woman in her room and throwing items at the head of another vulnerable woman.

Prosecutors alleged one resident with dementia was described by Ms Burridge as “a greedy cow” after she took a piece of bread from another resident’s plate.

The hearing heard Ms Burridge then pushed the woman back into her chair and “slapped” her with the back of her hand.

The trial, at Bradford Crown Court, is expected to last two weeks

An 86-year-old resident with dementia was alleged to have been verbally abused by the defendants as she experienced difficulty eating.

Another woman was not permitted to have lights on in her room, even though she was left sitting in the dark on her own for large periods of time, the jury heard.

Ms Dickinson is alleged to have destroyed a female resident’s medication by dissolving it in water or throwing it away rather than administering it.

The court was told Ms Dickinson was allegedly “hesitant” about calling 999 for the same resident, who was said to be sat in her wheelchair looking “freezing cold” and dribbling in December 2019.

The woman was immediately taken to hospital when paramedics were called, but passed away in hospital a week later.

The trial continues.

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