SOCIAL services chiefs are investigating allegations that a woman was attacked by another resident in a care home.

Four-foot tall Karen Marie Powell, 37, was staying at Haddon House, West Street, Padiham, when it is claimed a male resident punched and kicked her, bit her arm and tore hair from her scalp.

Her mum, Pat Robinson, of Casterton Avenue, Burnley, has complained that she was not told of the incident until the next morning and that Karen who is now suffering from traumatic stress was not taken to hospital.

She said: "When I went on Tuesday I brought Karen home immediately. She now sits with a hand over the bite mark like a little rag doll.''

Mrs Robinson has looked after her daughter, who suffers from curvature of the spine, for 37 years. Occasionally Karen spends long weekends away to provide a rest for her mum. Mrs Robinson said: "She went to Haddon House on the Thursday but I still visited her every day. Everything was all right as far as I knew until on Tuesday two social workers came to the house and said there had been an incident.

"I asked them to take me to Karen and I immediately took her to hospital and then brought her home. She was in a terrible state. She had been punched and kicked. There is a bite mark on her right arm and hair had been literally torn from her scalp.

"The doctor had been called and put her under sedation but she should have been taken to hospital. I took her there straight away and was told she is suffering from traumatic stress.

"The man concerned was regarded as being a risk following an earlier incident. As far as I am concerned he should not have been there, it is like a holiday break facility not a psychiatric ward.'' She added: "It took three policemen to bring him under control after he went berserk.''

Inspector Michael White confirmed a man had been arrested. It was not thought that charges would follow because of the man's mental condition.

A spokesman for Social Services said: "We are aware of the incident and are looking into the matter. Support is being provided to the mother to enable her to care for her daughter."

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