The jury in the trial of two carers accused of assaulting a patient at a private hospital in Colchester has been discharged after a barrister in the case was taken ill.
Before Ipswich Crown Court were Scott Geeson, 27, of Winnock Road, Colchester, and Lelish Shercan, 27, of Circus Square, Colchester, have both denied inflicting grievous bodily harm and a less serious alternative charge of ill-treating or wilfully neglecting the alleged victim in June 2016.
The court has heard that the two defendants were employed as support workers at the Cambian Fairview hospital in Colchester which cared for patients who had been sectioned under the mental health act.
Richard Kelly, prosecuting, said that when the 44-year-old victim of the alleged offences was taken to another hospital he was found to have bruising to his chest and torso, multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung.
The court has heard that the victim suffered from schizophrenia, borderline learning difficulties and autism.
A retrial will take place at a later date.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here