Assault accused 'did not shower'

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A carer accused of sexually assaulting an elderly dementia patient did not shower or change his underwear after the alleged incident, a court was told.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that nothing "sinister" was found on 22-year-old Gareth Jones' clothing or body when he was arrested at the Powys home.

The 77-year-old resident at The Mountains Home in Libanus needed surgery to save her life.

Mr Jones denies sexual activity and alternative wounding charges.

The incident happened on the evening of 13 February 2007, but Mr Jones was not arrested until the following night, the court heard.

Ieuan Morris, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Jones would have had time to clean himself.

In his evidence, Mr Jones, of Trecastle, near Brecon, said he went home immediately after the end of his night shift on 14 February and went straight to bed.

He did not leave his bed until the evening when his mother Deborah, who also works at the home, woke him in time for the start of his next night shift.

You have to keep on at him to have a bath or a shower Deborah Jones, accused's mother

Mrs Jones agreed with her son's account of his movements, telling the court he only "wet his face and used half a can of Lynx" after waking.

"I would have heard if he had a shower because the pipes rattle downstairs," she said, adding that she had been off work all day through illness.

She said he could be a bit "smelly", adding: "You have to keep on at him to have a bath or a shower."

Mr Jones was arrested when he returned to the home, and samples were taken from him for forensic testing.

The court had previously heard that Mr Jones had asked a colleague to lie for him and say they had worked together the night of the assault, but she refused.

Mr Morris has described the incident as a "cruel and deplorable sexual or sadistic act" which left the patient bleeding heavily and in danger of dying if she did not have emergency surgery, so bad were the injuries.

Mr Jones denies sexual activity, wounding with intent and unlawful wounding. The trial continues.