THE JURY in the trial of a care worker who threatened to lock an autistic man in a cupboard and banged his head against a door, has retired to consider its verdict.
Daniel Mountjoy, aged 27, of Hendra Vean, Truro, has denied ill treating or neglecting Nathan Hicks.
A trial at Truro Crown Court heard on Monday how Mountjoy, who worked at Spectrum-owned St Erme Campus in Trispen, near Truro, had looked after Mr Hicks, who needed care in all aspects of his daily life.
On December 20, 2011, Mountjoy entered a kitchen with Mr Hicks where colleague Charlotte Sullivan was preparing food.
Miss Sullivan told the court: "After the initial conversation Nathan was walking around in circles, calmly, and then took a few steps in front of Daniel.
"Out of nowhere Daniel raised his right arm and pushed Nathan back towards the boiler room cupboard door. He put his arm across his face and touched the left temple area.
"He put his head to the door and lent really close to his face and said, 'Oh no you don't boy, I will lock you in the cupboard'.
"He banged his head to the door twice. He used quite a lot of force because he was in the middle of the room and then went into the door."
"Melanie (Mountjoy's wife and an employee at the home) said, 'oh no, don't' and I said, 'don't ever do that again, that really isn't nice'."
Miss Sullivan said Mountjoy looked at her for a few seconds and then laughed, seeming a bit shocked at what she had said. She said he seemed calm when he entered the kitchen.
"There was absolutely no reason for what he did. It was disgusting," she added.
She reported the incident to the care home management.
Prosecutor Phillip Lee, for the CPS, said: "This was not just a bit of fun or banter. There was no justification for it.
"There has to be trust between him (Hicks) and his carer and Daniel Mountjoy was fully aware of his condition and needs and in this case his attitude was nothing less than cruel, intimidating and amounts to ill treatment."
Defence counsel Lee Brembridge, cross-examining Spectrum's head of resources, Denis Winder, argued that Mr Hicks could become physically aggressive without warning signs and while calm.
Referring to Mr Hicks' care report, he said: "My understanding is this – if Nathan is being mischievous or giggles or invades other people's personal space, care support worker or team members who Nathan is comfortable with can mock wrestle with him as that is an effective way of dealing with it."
Mr Winder denied the suggestion, then said mock wrestling would never take place in the presence of other people.
Mr Windor admitted there were times when Mr Hicks would hit people in the groin area but insisted it was playful.
