Caregivers accused of beating disabled man

Two caregivers violently beat and abused an intellectually disabled Levin man in his own home, a court has been told.

Two men, with interim name suppression, are on trial in Palmerston North District Court for beating the disabled man, now aged 50, at a community home while they were off duty in 2007, the Manawatu Standard reported.

The men deny a charge each of injuring with intent to injure.

The crown alleged the attack took place in the early hours of March 23 after a farewell party for one of the accused at the community home.

The wheelchair-bound man, who has severe intellectual and physical disabilities including cerebral palsy, needed 24-hour care, the crown said.

He suffered bruising to his chest, back and hip bones, blood in his ear, two fractured ribs, and a 3mm deep and 6 to 7mm wide hole in his tongue, the court was told.

The trial is set down for six days.

- NZPA