OAP ‘given Chinese burns by care staff’

An elderly war veteran was left with “blood-red” bruising to his hands after two carers allegedly punished him with  Chinese burns.

Albert Newitt, 90, had only been at Etheldred House care home in Histon for three days before the attack, a court heard.

Carers Carole Mills, 56, and Wayne Blake, 24, are both charged with ill-treating the dementia sufferer at the home on January 27, 2009. They  deny the charges.

Mills, of Cambridge Road, Milton, and Blake, of Turpyn Court, Cambridge, are standing trial at Peterborough Crown Court.

The jury yesterday heard how Mr Newitt, a Second World War RAF veteran, was subjected to the ordeal after refusing to eat his dinner.

The pensioner was unable to attend court yesterday to give evidence due to ill health but his police interview, carried out on February 3, 2009, was played in court.

He told how Blake, who is South African, boasted about being a “kingpin” at giving Chinese burns before grabbing his right hand and twisting it.

Mr Newitt also said Blake instructed Mills how to “give one properly” before telling her to grab his other hand and do the same.

Mr Newitt said: “This young South African said he was a kingpin at taking hold of people’s arms and twisting them. He said he was prepared to bash me if I didn’t get on with eating my dinner.

“He got hold of my right hand and she got hold of my left. They got them and twisted them.

“He was giving her all the instructions and showing her how to give one properly – a Chinese burn.

“It was agony. My hands were blood-red.”

Once Mills and Blake had let go, Mr Newitt pressed the emergency red button in his room and told the court how they were “ushered” out of the room. He said: “I told the staff who came up I didn’t want them in my room and I never saw them again.”

That evening, concerned staff members at the care home launched investigations, as did Mr Newitt’s family members after seeing the bruises when they visited him. Social services and police were called the following day.

Mills is charged with one count of ill treatment under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 where she is alleged to have restrained him in an aggressive manner on the morning of January 27.

She is then jointly charged with Blake of another count of ill treatment, which relates to the Chinese burns.

The trial continues.