A care worker will stand trial accused of abusing a vulnerable dementia patient at a home in the Towns.

Christine King, previously Swaby, has denied ill-treating a person who did not have mental capacity.

She appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court for a trial.

However, the case was adjourned as crucial pieces of evidence were not available.

The allegations relate to incidents last February at Grace Manor Care Centre, Gillingham, where the 52-year-old, of Ashbee Close, Snodland, was employed as a carer.

The court heard King’s treatment of Heinrick Schulze amounted to physical and emotional abuse, although no further details were given.

She was dismissed following disciplinary proceedings.

However, full records of when the allegations were made were not available to the court and could not be sourced in time for the trial to start.

Magistrates also heard Joe Nichols, chief compliance officer for Forest Healtchare, which runs the 46-patient home and 12 others across the South East, would be required to give evidence.

They were told a lot was riding on the case and King, who is of previous good character, is currently unable to work as a carer.

Her solicitor said in the interests of justice it was only right the bench has full access to all the facts.

At the time of the reported incidents, the home was in special measures following a Care Quality Commission inspection seven months earlier.

However, a follow-up visit just days after the allegations rated it as requiring improvement.

Among concerns were a number of issues relating to record keeping and staff recruitment.

King was released on unconditional bail and will stand trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court in May.