A CARE home worker is due to stand trial accused of neglecting residents who lacked capacity in her care.

Fiflore-Sumbu Kamwaka, 33, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday charged with 10 counts of ill-treatment or wilful neglect towards six residents at Derham House, in Harwood Hall Lane, Upminster, who lacked capacity or whom she reasonably believed to lack capacity, between November 2009 and January 2010.

Kamwaka is currently suspended from work on full pay.

She is accused of ill-treating or neglecting Gladys Barlow and Mavis Lowe between November 1 and December 24.

And allegedly ill-treated Kathleen Hartog, Frank Leonard, Marjorie Dannat, Stanislav Borowski and Mavis Lowe between January 1 to 31.

Kamwaka is also charged with three separate incidents of neglect towards Gladys Barlow on January 14 and Kathleen Hartog on January 21 and 22.

Kamwaka, who spoke only to confirm her name and deny the charges, will appear back at the same court for trial on Monday January 17 next year and remains on unconditional bail until then.

Miss Recorder Mary Stacey said: “You must attend and come back here then and co-operate and assist your solicitors in the preparation of your defence. The fact you are on unconditional bail doesn’t mean you don’t have to turn up.”

Mark Seymour prosecuting estimated the trial would last four days during which time the court will hear evidence from other care workers at the home.

The residents will not be giving evidence.