A FORMER auxiliary nurse from Pontypool is on trial, accused of ill-treating a severely disabled man in his care.

It is alleged Phillip Forward, 51, of The Cottages, Pontnewydd, placed 50-year-old Andrew Thomas in a bear-hug and in another incident knelt on his back, placing one hand over his mouth.

Forward is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court, where he denies ill-treatment or neglect of a person who lacks capacity.

Prosecutor Huw Evans told the court Forward worked as an auxiliary nurse for more than two years at Twyn Glas residential care home, Blackwood, until the end of December 2010.

The Aneurin Bevan Health Board-run facility houses five severely handicapped people, including Mr Thomas, who has profound learning difficulties, is now blind and prone to self-harm, such as hitting his own head.

Mr Evans said a care plan instructed nurses to give Mr Thomas a “cwtch blanket”

that he would suck, and move his arms gently to his side, which would encourage him to stop hitting himself. No provision was made for nurses to use force.

However, Forward’s former colleague, Jennifer Woodford, told the court that on December 28, 2010, at around 3am, the defendant grabbed Mr Thomas roughly and forcibly put him on his side.

The incident left her so concerned that when Forward went to attend to Mr Thomas later that night, she followed.

She said she was “gobsmacked”

as she watched Forward kneel on Mr Thomas’ back as he lay face down on his bed. Forward is alleged to have had one hand over Mr Thomas’ mouth and the other was pushing his face down.

Ms Woodford said the defendant then lay by Mr Thomas’ side, “looking aggressive and holding his arms in a bear-hug”.

Forward told police in interview he’d be “devastated” if he knew a patient was ill-treated.

Proceeding.