THE daughter of a dementia sufferer who was sexually assaulted at the care home where she lived has thanked staff for their vigilance and support.

She was speaking after the man accused of the assault, 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ian Barwick, was convicted following a trial at Durham Crown Court.

The woman, who has asked not to be named, said without the response of two staff members, who were the only witnesses to the incident, and their subsequent evidence during the trial, Barwick would never have been convicted of the assault on her mother, who has since died.

A jury at the court took an hour to reach a unanimous guilty verdict on the third day of the trial.

The court heard Barwick was visiting the 69-year-old woman alone, at the care home on the evening of March 31, last year.

Paul Currer, prosecuting, said he was seen with his hand on her leg, but, subsequently, staff on duty believed his hand went further up her leg, touching an intimate area, over clothing.

When Barwick later left, their suspicions were reported to police.

Barwick claimed any touching was inadvertent, and not done with any sexual intent, claiming his hand may have accidentally moved further up her leg when a phone went off, and the woman tried to get up to respond to the call.

There was also a suggestion any movement of her leg may have been down to her condition or shaking to humming or music.

The court heard Barwick, a former member of the Life Guards, a regiment of the Household Cavalry, left with impeccable service record, and until his conviction was of previous good character, both in military and civilian life.

Following the jury verdict, defence counsel Paul Abrahams asked for preparation of a Probation Service background report prior to sentence.

Agreeing, Judge Simon Hickey told Barwick: “You have been convicted of a sexual offence, and all options will remain open at sentence.

“This is a serious offence of molesting a lady who is extremely vulnerable and you have been found guilty after a trial.”

Barwick, of Hall Gardens, Sherburn Village, near Durham, was bailed pending sentence, at Teesside Crown Court, on December 11.

Speaking after the hearing, the daughter of the late victim in the case said: “I have nothing but absolute praise for the care home and their staff.

“The case would not have stood up without their response, as my mother could not have relayed what took place to anyone.”

She added that her mother had since died from a brain tumour at the home.