A FRAIL pensioner was left trembling after being inappropriately touched by a care professional, a court has heard.

Julie Thatcher is accused of touching Hazel Gosney’s bottom without permission at the elderly woman’s home in Rose Avenue, Stanway, in July 2017.

Thatcher, 59, denies ill-treating a person in her care whilst she was employed as a team leader by Bloomsbury Care Agency.

At Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday Laura Owers, who provided care to Mrs Gosney and husband, Leslie, at least twice a day, three or four days a week, took to the witness stand.

She said: “We arrived at about 7.30pm, myself and a driver and carer colleague called Jeff. He told me he did not have a lot of experience and I agreed to take the lead with the care that evening.

“I introduced Hazel to Jeff and gained her consent for him to shadow me.”

Ms Owers told the jury Mrs Gosney explained she was in a lot of pain as she had not defecated for a few days.

She said: “She was crying and said ‘Please help me’.”

After using a Stanley hoist to move Mrs Gosney to her commode, the carers began preparing her for bed.

Ms Owers said: “We lifted her out using the hoist and out of the blue Julie Thatcher came in. I did not know her and do not believe I had had any dealings with her before.

“She came in quite matter of fact, quite bolshy.”

Thatcher, of Radvald Close, Stanway, is then alleged to have touched Mrs Gosney inappropriately on the bottom.

Ms Owers continued: “She did not say anything in terms of a warning as to what she was going to do. Hazel screamed and cried.

“Julie saw my facial expression and said she was just checking to see if she is blocked. This was absolutely not something we as carers were supposed to do.

“Hazel did not calm down and she was very upset. When myself and Jeff assisted her on to the bed she was still shaking and I held her hand.”

Ms Owers told the court she reported the incident the following day.

“Alarm bells were ringing in my head,” she said. “I thought something had gone on here that was not correct. I kept flashing back to what happened thinking something was not right.”

The trial continues.

READ MORE: 'Stanway carer inappropriately touched pensioner'