A CARE home nurse could face jail after admitting assaulting an 86-year-old resident.

Jacqueline Duncan-Smith abused dementia sufferer Patrick Whelehan at Hempton Field care home in Chinnor on September 11 and has admitted assault by beating at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.

Relatives of Mr Whelehan said they were disgusted at the incident and said his health had deteriorated since.

A relative, who did not want to be named, said: “He has gone downhill since it happened.

“He has had three strokes, he has to be hoisted into a wheelchair and his whole left side is unusable – he’s not a person who can fight back.”

The care home said two staff reported the incident and Duncan-Smith, of Oak End Way in Chinnor, was immediately suspended from the service and the authorities informed.

Four Seasons Health Care spokesman Charlotte Nicholds said the home had a “zero tolerance” approach to any inappropriate conduct by staff towards residents and said there had been no other such incidents recorded in recent years.

Duncan-Smith, 34, was released on unconditional bail until May 6 while a pre-sentence report is prepared.