Chief constable challenged over care home inquiries

Chief Constable Colin McKerracher, of Grampian Police, has been challenged over the way his officers dealt with two care workers who were questioned over physical and sexual assault allegations.

One of the men, who works at Cloverfield Grove, an assisted living complex in Aberdeen, claims he was questioned for nearly five hours by police last week under the terms of the Adult Protection Act, before being released without charge.

The 40-year-old married father of two — who is originally from Nigeria and works for VSA, which runs the Bucksburn complex — said he was left traumatised and stigmatised.

He was locked in a cell for some of the time, had his shoes and belt removed and was fingerprinted and DNA-tested via a mouth swab.

A spokesman for VSA said the man was not suspended from duty and had since returned to work.

“We are pleased the allegations were proved to be unfounded,” he added.

The second man, who is also from Nigeria, was questioned by police yesterday over claims he had assaulted an elderly man with dementia at Woodgrove Nursing Home on May Baird Avenue, Aberdeen. The home is also run by VSA.

The 31-year-old agency worker, who was suspended from his duties by his employer, Banchory-based Premier Care (Aberdeen), was also released without charge.

Conservative councillor Alan Donnelly has written to Mr McKerracher because he thinks the way police treated both men was “over the top”. He said it was clear that the procedures for investigating allegations, particularly those made by dementia sufferers, must be examined.

But a spokesman for Aberdeen City Council said the authority and other agencies had a “responsibility” to investigate and intervene in cases of vulnerable adults who were at risk of harm.

“Any investigation would be handled as sensitively as possible, and if concerns are serious social work will act immediately to ensure the individual is safe.

“Depending on the allegation, other organisations may be involved including the police, NHS and Care Commission.”

A spokesman for Grampian Police said: “We are duty bound to thoroughly, impartially and sensitively investigate any matters reported to us and the public expects no less.

“We do not discuss operational matters or individual cases for the protection of everyone involved and can make no further comment.”