STEPHEN PULLINGER A care worker who slapped an 89-year-old dementia patient round the face was sentenced yesterday to 175 hours of community service. Linda Pembroke, 55, who had denied common assault but was found guilty by Yarmouth magistrates, was also ordered to pay £50 compensation and £100 court costs.

STEPHEN PULLINGER

A care worker who slapped an 89-year-old dementia patient round the face was sentenced yesterday to 175 hours of community service.

Linda Pembroke, 55, who had denied common assault but was found guilty by Yarmouth magistrates, was also ordered to pay £50 compensation and £100 court costs.

The case had been adjourned for sentence after a trial on Wednesday when Pembroke, of Trinity Place, Yarmouth, had been described as a “lady of previous exemplary character”.

The bench had been told how fellow staff were stunned when the incident occurred at the Norfolk County Council-run Rosewood Day Centre, in Gorleston, in March.

The victim, Alzheimer's sufferer Jack Wright, had been waiting in the foyer for his bus home with a group of other patients.

Pembroke was standing next to Mr Wright and tried to stop him going out of the door before his bus arrived.

Fellow care worker and prosecution witness, Della Wallace, had told the court how Mr Wright had apparently lost balance and grabbed hold of Pembroke's upper right arm, nipping the skin.

Ms Wallace said: “After he let go she looked at her arm and then she slapped him in the face. She meant to do what she did. I was stunned because I could not believe what I had witnessed.”