A carer has appeared in court to be charged with three counts of actually bodily harm and two of neglect of an elderly woman she was looking after.

Magistrates heard Dorothy Kerridge, of West View, Kelsale, near Saxmundham, would be strenuously denying the charges which relate to an Ipswich woman understood to have been around 90 years old.

The 55-year-old appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates Court in Ipswich for the first hearing of her case.

After to being summonsed to court she was formally charged with the five offences.

Kerridge spoke only to confirm her name, address, date of birth and that she understood what any failure to answer bail would mean, during the hearing which lasted for just two minutes.

The first accusation she faces alleges she committed actual bodily harm between November 15 and November 25, 2012.

The second assault charge relates to the period between January 1 and January 30 last year.

The third refers to the period between February 4 and February 26 last year.

It is understood the alleged victim was cared for at her home.

Kerridge is also accused of two counts of being a carer who ill-treated or wilfully neglected a person who lacked mental capacity. These are said to have occurred over a three-month period between November 2012 and February 2013.

Prosecutor Colette Harper told the court the matters were not suitable to be heard in a summary trial before magistrates.

She added the case involved Kerridge caring for an elderly person in her home.

Mrs Harper said: β€œIt was assaults on a person who is now deceased.”

Shelley Drew, representing Kerridge, said her client vehemently denied the allegations and the case would go to trial at crown court.

Magistrates told Kerridge the case was being committed to Ipswich Crown Court where there would be a preliminary hearing on June 17.

She was also told a trial window had been given as between October 13 and November 21.

Kerridge was released on unconditional bail.