A COLLEAGUE of two care workers accused of attacking a mental health patient described how the victim said they had “got him” as he lay in a hospital bed.
The vulnerable man – who suffered with a myriad of conditions including schizophrenia, borderline learning difficulties and autism – was allegedly set upon by Scott Geeson and Lelish Shercan at Cambian Fairview Hospital in Mile End, Colchester.
Examinations shortly after on the 44-year-old showed he had suffered cracked ribs, a collapsed lung and bruising to his face.
The defendants, both 27, are accused of grievous bodily harm and wilfully neglecting a person in their care.
Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, Neville Bowkett, who at the time of the incident in June 2016 worked at the hospital as a support worker said he was on shift when the injuries were discovered in the lounge.
Whilst he was paired with another patient, Mr Bowkett noticed the victim was struggling to breathe while sitting in an armchair.
He was alerted to marks on his chest and body by a colleague and a staff nurse was called.
The man was checked over by staff and then transferred to hospital.
Mr Bowkett visited the ward he was in to help with the changeover of staff who had been tasked with staying with the victim.
He said: “He beckoned me over and he was scared.
“He said Lelish and Scott got me.
“He wanted me to stay with him but I couldn’t.”
Mr Bowkett said he had known the man for five-and-a-half years in the run up to the incident and they had a good line of communication and a rapport.
He described him as malnourished and extremely skinny and had a tendency to try to grab and kick but would often apologise afterwards and revealed he could become agitated when he was not allowed cigarettes.
When asked about the victim’s memory, Mr Bowkett said: “He had a good memory.
“He had a car accident many years before and he remembered it clearly.”
Mr Bowkett said he had been shocked when he had been told by the victim and other members of staff the attack had been done by Sheercan and Geeson and described them as good workers.
Geeson, of Winnock Road, Colchester, and Sheercan, of Circus Square, Colcheste, deny all charges against them.
The trial continues...
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