A 42-year-old nursing aide was yesterday granted bail after he pleaded not guilty to slightly injuring a 92-year-old man at St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly.

George Michael Spiteri of Fgura, who allegedly slapped the man in the face, was granted bail against a personal guarantee of €3,000

Mr Spiteri, who has been working as a nursing aide since 1989, was placed on forced leave pending the outcome of the investigation after a maid reported that he had slapped a resident.

He was yesterday ordered not to contact his colleagues or the relatives of the elderly resident.

The court appointed an expert to draw up a medical report.

He noted that nurses and the staff needed people’s support for their work

During the hearing, Magistrate Ian Farrugia asked if any relatives of the victim were present.

Eight people, including two of his sons, stood up.

The magistrate explained that the accused was being granted bail and this did not mean the case was over but that proceedings were just starting.

He noted that, without justifying what allegedly happened, nurses and the staff at the residence needed people’s support for their work.

Still, he noted that “everyone is human and can make mistakes”.

One of the relatives pointed out that she took care of people with a disability but never hit anyone, to which the magistrate replied that if anyone in the hall said they never made a mistake, they would be lying.

Inspectors Joseph Mercieca and Spiridione Zammit prosecuted. Franco Galea and Lucio Sciriha appeared for the defence.