Care worker convicted of assaulting autistic man

An Inverness care worker has been convicted of assaulting an autistic resident in a unit run by charity The Richmond Fellowship Scotland.

At Inverness Sheriff Court, Sheriff Margaret Neilson heard how sixty-one-year-old Leslie Poole dragged David Cole naked along a carpeted floor and barricaded him into his room by placing a brush against the door handle so he couldn’t get out.

Poole was convicted after three days of evidence after denying assaulting Mr Cole on August 15, 2012, abducting and unlawfully securing him in his bedroom against his will.

He lodged special defences of self-defence and necessity claiming his actions were for the safety of Mr Cole, himself and residents and staff within the care home.

Sheriff Neilson told Poole after listening to the three days of evidence she found him guilty of the assault but not of abduction.

The trial heard Poole was aware Mr Cole had a history of violence towards staff and other residents at the home, which looks after people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and autism.

However, fellow support worker, Penny Deverell who witnessed the incident told the court she was “shocked” by what happened.

She added, “It was the first time I’d ever seen someone treat a service user that way. I thought it was completely inappropriate.”

Poole, of Inverness, was bailed to appear again on August 7 for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports.