Carer denies injuring woman aged 101

Sharon Parkinson, 43, said she was “devastated” after being arrested when she was reported for causing extensive bruising to the arm of centenarian Rose Trigg.

A jury at Leeds Crown Court has heard Mrs Trigg suffered the injuries at Ashgrove House, Sandal, Wakefield, last year.

It is alleged Parkinson, of Heseltine Close, Normanton, inflicted the injuries as she “took out her frustrations” on the elderly woman after losing her temper when dealing with another of the residents.

Parkinson told the court that Mrs Trigg had grabbed her own arm and caused the injuries to herself as she and her colleague, Hayley Lyons, were assisting her.

The jury has heard Miss Lyons told authorities she had seen her colleague gripping Mrs Parkinson’s arm and saying to the elderly lady “it’s not nice, is it”.

Miss Lyons said Parkinson had hold of her arm with “unnecessary force and digging in the elbow”.

Parkinson told the court Miss Lyon’s account was lies.

Her barrister Michael Collins asked: “Were you responsible for any of the injuries to Mrs Trigg?”

“No,” she replied.

During cross examination, prosecutor Dave MacKay said to Parkinson: “It was a job you found tiring, emotionally, mentally and physically.”

“No,” she said. “It was the same as any other job. No difference. Plus we had the back-up of staff.”

Parkinson also denied claims she had been short tempered and had sworn in front of residents during her short time working at Ashgrove House. She has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr MacKay continued: “You are lying, because you were annoyed with [the other resident]. You were tired, mentally and physically. You took out your frustrations on Rose and when you had done that you said ‘that’s not nice is it’?”

Parkinson replied: “No. Not at all.”

The jury has retired to consider its verdict.