A nursing home worker said “what are you whingeing for?” and “you can go to sleep now” as he repeatedly punched an elderly and vulnerable resident, an Adelaide court has heard. Michael Andrew Mullen was working at the Lourdes Valley Residential Care Centre when he allegedly punched resident Elizabeth “Libby” Hannaford in the early hours of November 19, 2015. Mullen, 54, has pleaded not guilty to one count of aggravated assault and is on trial before Adelaide Magistrate Elizabeth Sheppard. Opening the trial, prosecutor Patrick Hill said Ms Hannaford squealed and screamed as Mullen punched her four or five times to the right side of her face out of frustration. Mr Hill said the assault was aggravated because Ms Hannaford was over 60 years of age and “particularly vulnerable”, and because Mullen was in a position of trust. Mullen allegedly lost his temper after Ms Hannaford repeatedly pulled out cords which alerted staff if she fell out of her bed. “ (Mullen) said ‘if you don’t stop doing this and I have to come back again there will be bloody consequences’ and ‘I have had a gutful of you mucking about’,” Mr Hill said. “Out of increasing frustration at Ms Hannaford’s behaviour, and after numerous interactions, the accused struck her to the face more than once.” The court heard the assault was witnessed by Ms Hannaford’s roommate, who told police Mullen had been chastising the 72-year old in a loud, angry voice before she heard sounds “like when you punch your fist into your hand”. The trial will hear some witnesses through a video link and is expected to run for more than a week.
