A CARE worker has been cleared of ill-treating a severely disabled man at a Bradford nursing home.

Rene Mouel was swiftly found not guilty by the jury at Bradford Crown Court today of three charges relating to Stephen Smith, a blind resident at Branwell Lodge in Smith Road, Great Horton, Bradford.

Mouel, 48, of Torre Mount, Burmantofts, Leeds, denied twice grabbing Mr Smith by his clothing, causing bruising to his chest, and slapping him hard on the foot, all on March 19.

Mouel told the jury he thought of Mr Smith as his best friend and would never have harmed him.

He said he saw Mr Smith just once on the day of the allegations when he put an arm round him in the communal living room at the home.

“I love people and I have to give the same love to everyone,” he said.