Man bit a second care home resident

Fred Adams: bite led to his death

A MAN who bit a fellow care home resident - who later died from his injuries - was accepted at another residential home only a month later, and went on to bite someone else.

A week-long inquest resumed yesterday into the death of Frederick Adams (93), who was bitten on the finger and hit with a shoe by Alfred Baker (73) at Acorn Lodge Care Home, Failsworth. Mr Adams died from blood poisoning and infection from his injuries, the inquest has heard.

Yesterday Heywood Coroner Court heard Mr Baker had a history of violence towards his wife in the months before he attacked Mr Adams, coinciding with Mr Baker’s development of severe dementia.

He had been in two different local care homes on emergency respite for his wife shortly before he moved to full-time care at Acorn Lodge in October 2013.

Before Acorn Lodge accepted Mr Baker, he had a long history of striking residents and staff at other care homes in the area.

Despite his background, both social workers and the care home decided he was safe to be around other residents. But he had struck out at a carer within 24 hours of his arrival.

After the attack on Mr Adams Mr Baker was accepted at Downshaw Lodge Care Home in Ashton, around two weeks after Mr Adams’ death.

The home’s manager, Alison Chadwick, told the inquest she had no knowledge of the attack.

She said: “I visited Mr Baker at The Royal Oldham Hospital where he was taken after he had attacked Mr Adams. “Alfred’s social worker mentioned his violent past with his wife but not the attack on Mr Adams.”

Ms Chadwick accepted a document about Mr Baker from social workers on December 12, two days before Mr Baker moved in - but admitted not reading it. Mr Baker went on to bite someone at the Downshaw Lodge home in February.

The inquest continues.