A 90-year-old dementia sufferer who told relatives she’d been assaulted by her live-in carer was found to have bruises on her face, arms, ears and the soles of her feet, it has been alleged.

Muriel Munro, who has since died, claimed that Dorothy Kerridge was a “cruel lady” and told her son and grandaughters she had allegedly been punched, hit and slapped by her, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Kerridge, 55, of West View, Kelsale has denied three offences of assaulting Mrs Munro causing her actual bodily harm and two alternative offences of ill-treating and neglecting her.

Riel Karmy-Jones, prosecuting, said Kerridge had allegedly abused Mrs Munro while she was her live-in carer between November 2012 and February last year.

She said Mrs Munro, who lived in Caithness Close, Ipswich for 66 years, was diagnosed with dementia in the summer of 2012 and it was felt she needed a live-in carer after the death of her husband.

Kerridge started working as Mrs Munro’s live-in carer on November 4, 2012 and at first she seemed to be caring well for her.

However, Mrs Munro had then told her son that she was being hit, slapped and punched and told one of her grandaughters that “Dot” had hit her with a walking stick.

She also said Kerridge was a “cruel lady” and that she was horrible to her when they were on their own and held up a clenched fist to her face to demonstrate what Kerridge had allegedly done to her.

Mrs Munro’s family became increasingly concerned after finding her glasses and false teeth were broken and noticed a cut on her leg.

When questioned about Mrs Munro’s injuries Kerridge allegedly explained them away by saying they were the result of a fall or an accident.

Mrs Munro’s family noticed that when she was being cared for by another carer when Kerridge was off duty her bruises began to disappear and she was better in herself.

During police interviews Kerridge denied striking Mrs Munro and said her injuries were caused by falls or were self inflicted.

The trial continues.