Pair Remain Suspended After 'Disabled Victim' Case Carers Cleared Of Sex Aabuse Charges

Manchester Evening News - Two care workers have been cleared of sexually abusing a severely handicapped man - but remain suspended from their jobs pending a council investigation.

Andrew Dyson, 38, and Paul Spencer, who work for Salford Social Services, had denied seven charges of indecent assault between October 2001 and January last year.

In a 75-minute video shown to a jury at Manchester Crown Court, in Minshull Street, the alleged victim - who relies on a wheelchair and had no feeling from the waist down said Mr Dyson and Mr Spencer had indecently assaulted him while caring for him at his home. The court was told the disabled man's mother had seen Mr Dyson abuse her son and reported the matter to social services, who later contacted the police. But on the third day of the trial, the case collapsed when the prosecution decided not to continue with the proceedings after the alleged victim had been cross-examined.

Judge Peter Lakin instructed the jury to return not guilty verdicts. But he also asked for a report from the Crown Prosecution Service as he had concerns about how the case had been prepared for a "vulnerable" witness.

Mr Dyson, of Springside Avenue, Walkden, and Mr Spencer, of West Way, Little Hulton, who have been off work since they were arrested in March last year may have to face a fresh inquiry. A spokeswoman for Salford city council said: "Both employees were suspended pending the court case on police advice. A review of the situation is now taking place and a decision will be made soon as to whether they will face a disciplinary hearing. In the meantime both will remain suspended".