A carer has admitted neglecting more than a dozen elderly people, some of whom had Alzheimer's.

Susan McIntosh appeared at Maidstone Magistrates Court today charged with the ill treatment or wilful neglect of 13 residents at a Harrietsham care home.

Concerns were raised after staff discovered medication for 13 residents had been thrown in the bin.

As part of her role at the care home, the court heard the 53-year-old was supposed to sign a form saying she had given out medication.

If the medication was refused, or a resident was asleep, the form was supposed to be marked with an "R".

District Judge Paul Goldspring heard none of the 13 slips signed by McIntosh on the day in question had been marked to say medication was refused.

The court heard staff later found the medicine left in a bin.

Geoff Playford, defending, said: "She does not recall putting the medication in the bin.

"She accepts what happened but does not accept that she did it deliberately."

McIntosh of Park Terrace in Throwley Fostal, near Faversham, admitted 13 counts of ill treatment or wilfully neglecting an individual as a care worker.

The offences took place in November 2017.

"Most importantly there's a breach of trust to the elderly, vulnerable people who are defenceless and have no say in the care that they get" - Judge Paul Goldspring

McIntosh no longer works at the care home.

Judge Goldspring warned he was keeping all options open in regard to sentencing, including a prison term.

He said: "These are very serious matters - whatever the circumstances.

"The fabrication of the records and seeking to hide what happened by dispensing of the medication to me suggests there's more to it than you say.

"There's a breach of trust with your employer who has employed you to act at a certain way.

"Most importantly there's a breach of trust to the elderly, vulnerable people who are defenceless and have no say in the care that they get.

"That said you're of good character and you've pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, which will be in your favour.

"But I want to know more about you and how this incident happened."

The hearing was adjourned for sentencing until May 10 at Maidstone Magistrates Court.

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