A member of staff from a County Tyrone care home has appeared at Dungannon Magistrates Court in relation to an assault on a resident.
Terence Whittenham McCann (49) from Churchtown Park, Castlederg, pleaded guilty to assaulting the woman on June 26, at Dungannon Care Home which is situated at Killyman Road and is part of Four Seasons Healthcare.
Whilst no specifics of the incident were disclosed during the short hearing, the court was alerted to the fact the victim was vulnerable and in a care home setting.
District Judge John Meehan ruled pre-sentence reports were required under the circumstances.
He set strict terms which preclude McCann from entering the care home or having any contact with residents or members of their families.
In addition McCann is to co-operate fully with Probation Services for the preparation of the report and Judge Meehan instructed; "Any failure to attend must be communicated directly to police who are to expedite arrest immediately."
Bail was fixed at £300 and sentencing will take place next month.
Following the case a spokesman for Four Seasons Healthcare said;
"When a carer reported concerns about the conduct of another member of staff towards a resident, the manager notified the relevant authorities, so triggering the police investigation that led to the court proceedings. We actively cooperated with the investigation.
"The care assistant who was under investigation was suspended in line with our procedure. The wellbeing of the people in our care is our first consideration and we have an active whistle-blowing policy that encourages our staff, residents and their relatives to report any concerns they may have about any aspect of care.
"These are always notified to the authorities as appropriate so they can be investigated thoroughly and in a transparent way. We are grateful for the vigilance of our carer who raised her concerns"
Dungannon Care home provides care for people with learning disabilities on a permanent, short stay or respite basis. It is staffed by a team of registered nurses and trained care assistants providing 24 hour care.
