Three staff members who worked at Gower Lodge residential home in Swansea appeared in court today accused of ill-treating and abusing vulnerable residents between 2015 and 2017.
Gower Lodge residential home houses adults with learning difficulties, and behavioural and mental health problems in need of care.
Douglas Stephens, of Rhosyderi, Tumble, Llanelli; Anthony John Thomas, of Briar Dene, Sketty, Swansea; and Tony Rowlands, of Jenkins Road, Neath, deny all the charges against them.
Jim Davis opened the case for the prosecution at Swansea Crown Court describing the seven alleged offences. He said that the four alleged victims in the case "lacked the mental capacity to enable them to make decisions for themselves."
The court heard how Stephens allegedly dragged a female resident onto the floor, knelt on her and banged her head on the floor "a number of times."
Stephens is also alleged to have made comments of a sexual nature towards two other female residents, as well as threatening sexual acts on them. There is also an accusation of an alleged racial slur used towards a separate resident.
There are two charges against Thomas who is alleged to have taken hold of a male resident "around the neck from behind" and pinning him to the floor. The second charge is that he took hold of a female resident "by the hair and dragged her towards the bedroom" said Mr. Davis.
Rowlands, faces one count involving a female resident who was brought to Taith Carterf home in Clydach. He is alleged to have “forcefully” pushed her onto a sofa, holding her by the throat and slapping her.
A former member of staff brought the allegations to light after raising concerns over what she had seen and heard. After an initial investigation by the care company the police were alerted and took over.
The trial continues.
