Carer punched woman, 91, - and was caught thanks to victim's five word clue

10 January 2024 , 08:06

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Jack Winter, of Edge Hill, Liverpool, was jailed for 11 months (Image: Merseyside Police)

A carer punched and twisted the arms of a 91-year-old woman two weeks into his job at a nursing home.

Jack Winter, 33, left the pensioner frightened and with "extensive bruising" after grabbing her at Brooklands Care Home in Old Swan, Liverpool. A court heard yesterday the incident occurred during a night shift on July 10, 2022, two weeks into Winter's role.

The victim, whose name we have chosen not to disclose, needed assistance moving to her room on the first floor of the care home due to mobility issues. Despite these physical challenges, her mental health was reported as good.

The following day, the woman's son and grandson visited and noticed her bruised wrists while sitting in the garden. She revealed to them that a man had been "awful with me" and had "dragged" her.

The victim's son immediately reported the incident to the deputy care home manager after seeing his mother's injuries. The manager then confirmed the bruises and heard from the victim herself that a man had grabbed and punched her.

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Pictures were taken of the woman's injuries and the police were called. The only clue the victim could give was that her attacker had "pictures all over his arms". The deputy care home manager immediately knew it was a staff member, Winter, due to his distinctive tattoos.

Carer punched woman, 91, - and was caught thanks to victim's five word clue

Winter caused 'extensive bruising' to the pensioner (Liverpool Echo)

The victim was interviewed by police, telling them Winter "grabbed her arm" during the assault. She reported asking him what he was doing before things escalated. She ordered Winter to "go away". The woman then described how Winter "gave me a crack", which was explained in court as meaning a punch.

In her police interview, she graphically recalled: "He got my arm [...] and he twisted and twisted and twisted it. I said you're breaking my arm." Initially, when confronted by his employers, Winter denied assaulting the woman and couldn't remember the incident, stating: "she would have screamed" if it had happened.

Yet, the 33 year old later admitted to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in court. A statement from the victim's son, read out by Mr Baxter, told the court his mum had been a hard worker from 14 until her mid-80s. He shared that his mum "always put other people before herself". He detailed the immense impact of the assault on his ageing mum's "nervous system was immense", resulting in new panic attacks.

The victim's son revealed that their distress was prolonged as Winter "continued to maintain his innocence until the last minute". In court, Rebecca Smith, defending, explained that Winter had several mental health conditions, reports Liverpool Echo.

She said that Winter was overwhelmed and untrained for the work environment he was in. She added: "The defendant acknowledges he should have spoken up and he would be the first to admit that."

It was also mentioned in defence that Winter experienced "tragedies" during his childhood and young adulthood. With no previous convictions, he switched from care work to a role in hospitality where he was "flourishing".

Winter, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, received an 11-month prison sentence for assault causing actual bodily harm. Judge Stuart Driver KC declared that Winter attacked the victim by grabbing, pushing, twisting her arms and punching her once in the back.

In his sentencing of the 33 year old, the judge remarked: "One serious aggravating factor in this case was this was an abuse of power in a position of trust. You were employed to care for [the victim]."

He stressed: "She was extremely vulnerable. She was 91-years-old, 4ft 11in, slight, frail and was walking with a mobility aid. This was a breach of trust and has had an impact on her and the family."