A DEMENTIA-stricken grandmother was left for hours in soiled clothing before being ill treated, a court has heard.

Blessing Okeke-Nwojeh, 44, of Clayburn Circle, Basildon, and Hemlata Ramdin, 40, of Braybrooke, Basildon are standing trial at Basildon Crown Court charged with ill treatment.

The court was previously told the grandmother has severe dementia and the pair slapped, pulled and dragged her about at the Ghyllgrove Care Home in Basildon.

Yesterday Hemlata Ramdin told the jury the care home was understaffed with three workers for 30 patients.

She said: “She hit staff and was aggressive so some workers refused to go near her.

“Her dress was soaking and her pad was full of soil, her hair was not done.

“I gave her personal care and staff were told to leave her alone and give her space if she gets distressed.

“On that day she was distressed for many reasons, could have been as she didn’t want the carer to touch her.

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“I had to make sure she was dressed.

“I did my job to the best of my ability and what I thought was in her best interest.

“She hadn’t been changed for 12 hours and sometimes we have to change her even if she is distressed to stop her getting an infection.”

The jury was previously told the incidents in 2019 were revealed after the worried granddaughter installed a camera in the woman’s room.

The court was previously shown short clips of the incidents which showed a care worker push and slap the woman.

It also recorded her screaming during the incidents at the care home and a family member sat in court crying as the footage was shown.

The carer on trial added: “I think she needed a higher level of care and the care home was inadequate for her needs due to do that.

“She didn’t like staff giving her personal care because she thought her family were coming to help but it never happened.”

The trial continues