A care worker has gone on trial accused of assaulting two residents at an Elgin care home.
Aneta Fortuniak is accused of slapping 90-year-old Robert Scott at Spynie Care Home on August 9 last year.
It is further alleged the 43-year-old assaulted Aileen Grant, then aged 83, by seizing her by the wrist, roughly manhandling her, dragging her across a bed and putting a hand across her mouth to stop her from shouting out on August 6.
Yesterday, care worker Linda Clark – who worked at the home at the time of the alleged incidents – told Elgin Sheriff Court that she heard “two slaps” as she was walking along a corridor.
When asked what had happened in the early hours of August 9 by fiscal Martina Eastwood, she said: “I walked down the corridor wondering where everybody was. I went through the second door in that corridor and I heard two slaps.
“The nurse asked what was going on and the resident turned round and said ‘she slapped me’.”
The 43-year-old, who no longer works at the home, said Mr Scott was referring to Fortuniak, who appeared “anxious, upset and stressed” at the time.
She added that Mr Scott later blamed himself, suggesting it was his “fault” and that he “should have known better”.
Staff nurse Dana Gallagher, 45, later denied that Miss Clark was at the door to Mr Scott’s room when the alleged incident took place.
During questioning by defence solicitor Steven Carty, she said it was up to half an hour later that her colleague knew about the allegation.
Miss Gallagher told the court she went to Mr Scott’s room after hearing the resident shouting and could not find any sign of injury after he accused Mrs Fortuniak of slapping him.
During yesterday’s proceedings, concerns were raised about Mr Scott’s ability to recall events accurately.
But Miss Clark, care home manager Pauline Arbuthnot and her deputy Wendy Heron, all confirmed they had no reason to doubt his memory.
Fortuniak, of Unit 9, Cameron Park Brae, Elgin, denies the two charges.
The trial continues today.
