Disabled man scalded in bath.

Byline: Will Sutton

A care worker put a disabled man into a scalding bath causing life-threatening burns, a court heard.

Care assistant Mathew Smith is accused of lowering Trevor Morris, 53, into the hot water at the Elm Ridge Residential Home in Coulby Newham knowing the risk of injury.

The 24-year-old, of Whinchat Close, Stockton, denies inflicting grievous bodily harm at Teesside Crown Court.

He was the main carer for Mr Morris, a wheelchair user who had cerebral palsy, epilepsy, was partially paralysed and had communication problems.

Prosecutor Alan Taylor said Smith was bathing him on October 23, 2003 when he appeared to be distressed.

He said: "It's no surprise he was looking distressed because he was seriously scalded."

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital several hours later when Smith alerted another member of staff. Doctors said his injuries were life-threatening - 18 to 20pc partial thickness burns, to his legs, hips, feet and groin area.

The prosecution do not claim Mr Morris was deliberately harmed but say Smith, trained in safe bathing procedures in his two-and-a half months at the home, acted recklessly by not checking the water temperature.

Mr Taylor said: "That is what the trial is about. Was he careless, as the defence say, or was he reckless, as the prosecution say?

"The infliction of the serious injury is not in dispute.

He said the bath temperature was about 50 degrees Centigrade, above the normal level of 40.

Smith initially told police he checked the water but later admitted failing to do so. He said he saw red marks after taking Mr Morris out of the bath and knew the water was too hot. He panicked and hoped it would go away.

Smith had called fellow care assistant Karen Mann, 30, to the bathroom. She did not check the temperature but saw nothing wrong with the bath. She thought Mr Morris suffered a seizure.

Judge Robert Lowden said: "The prosecution have to prove that the defendant knew when he lowered Mr Morris into the bath that he knew there was a risk that the actions would cause some injury."

Mr Morris died from bronchopneumonia on April 14, 2004 - but this was not connected to the incident.

Proceeding