A SENIOR social worker has today told a jury she would have challenged a care home's regime to strip wash a doubly incontinent elderly resident every three days.

Aarti Wadhwani was giving evidence in the trial of the owner and seven staff members at Highdell Nursing Home in Idle, Bradford, who are accused of deliberately neglecting a 79-year-old dementia sufferer.

Prosecutor Stephen Wood alleges that Edward Hinnells was left in abject squalor and filth in a room not fit for human habitation.

The jury has heard that Mr Hinnells moved into the care home in February 2013 and could be abusive and difficult and had an aversion to being washed.

Miss Wadhwani, a Bradford Council social work team manager, carried out a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) assessment of him in May 2013.

She told the court Mr Hinnells, known to staff as Eddie, was "extremely difficult" to engage with, refusing to see her on one of her three visits and throwing things at her.

"He asked me to leave in very colourful language," Miss Wadhwani said.

She added: "He was challenging. It was particularly complex and difficult because he was difficult to engage with."

Miss Wadhwani said Mr Hinnells was often confused, not knowing he was in a nursing home and claiming he was locked in.

"My conclusion was that he lacked capacity to make an informed decision on his care and a DOLS was needed," she told the jury.

The court heard it was decided it was best for Mr Hinnells to stay in his room, where he was allowed to smoke. He had previously burned his fingers and could be closely monitored there.

Also, his challenging behaviour caused difficulty with other residents.

Under the DOLS, Mr Hinnells could be legally restrained to take care of his personal needs.

Mr Wood asked Miss Wadhwani: "However a person presents, however challenging, should that person ever simply be left?"

She answered: "No."

Miss Wadhwani said Mr Hinnells was clean and looked well on her first visit. On her second, he smelled of urine, but not strongly.

Questioned about the home's care plan for him, she said she would have challenged the "strip wash every three days" direction which she felt it should be done on a daily basis.

Stephen Pelkowski, 51, the manager of Highdell, of Lodge Hill, Addingham; Jennifer Cross, 60, a senior care assistant, of The Green, Idle; Phillippa Robinson, 57, a senior nurse and registered mental health nurse, of Hall Royd, Shipley; Nicki Kassama, 30, a carer, of Wrose Mount, Wrose, Shipley; Valerie James, 58, a senior carer, of Stonegate Road, Eccleshill, Bradford; Desmond Crowley, 59, a staff nurse and registered mental health nurse, of Hazelhurst Brow, Daisy Hill, Bradford; Gerard McDermott, 58, a registered mental health nurse, of Maria Street, Ilkley; and Piotr Czajkowski, 49, a cleaner, of Ravenscliffe Avenue, Ravenscliffe, Bradford, all deny one count of wilful neglect of a person who lacks capacity.

The trial continues.