Care home worker charged with the assault of resident

Published on Thursday 30 April 2009 09:41

A CARE home worker has been charged with seriously assaulting an elderly resident in Edinburgh.

Joseph Sinja, 32, has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on charges of "assault with sexual aggravation" following an alleged incident at the Ferrylee Care Home, on North Junction Street, on Sunday.

He made no plea or declaration to the charges and has been remanded in custody until a further appearance next Tuesday.

No further details of the alleged assault or the condition of the resident involved have been released.

It is understood that police officers were this week interviewing pensioners at the Leith home, which provides care and support for 44 permanent residents.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are working with our partner agencies to investigate an alleged serious assault in a City of Edinburgh Council residential care home on Sunday, April 26.

"A 32-year-old man has been arrested in connection with this. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, April 27 and was remanded in custody."

The home was last inspected by the Care Commission on January 23 through an unannounced one-day visit.

Inspectors rated the quality of care and support at the institution as good, along with the quality of environment.

Ferrylee is described as a "warm, relaxed and caring home set in its own grounds with a putting green and raised flower beds".

Accommodation is split on two levels with residents living together in small flats with their own sitting and dining areas.

Residents suffering from memory impairment live in a separate 15-bedded unit, known as the Garden Flat.

Lawrie Davidson, regional manager for the Care Commission, said: "We have been made aware of an alleged incident at a care home in Edinburgh and that it is the subject of a police inquiry. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

"The National Care Standards state that service users have a right to feel safe when using care services and we would urge anyone with concerns about anyone's safety to contact the relevant authorities immediately."