A CARE worker has been sacked after he was convicted of indecently assaulting a resident in the council's care.

Graham Williams (63), of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, admitted two charges of assaulting the vulnerable adult at the home in which he worked.

The domestic assistant appeared before Bury magistrates on Monday where sentencing was adjourned until April 27. Williams was initially suspended from his post by Bury Council in January. The council launched an investigation and suspended the care worker after a colleague complained about an incident involving him and a client. The matter was then referred to police who subsequently charged him.

The council said it will be speaking to residents and their families at the council-run facility to reassure them over the incident.

The employee joined Bury Council in July, 2002, but there is no suggestion that he committed any other offences.

The council said full checks in accordance with national guidance, including a Criminal Records Bureau check, were carried out on his background before he took up the post and he had no previous history of offending.

Bury Council's social services department has a vulnerable adults protection policy which has been judged as effective by the independent social services Inpectorate.

However, the council is reviewing its procedures to see if it can learn any lessons from the case.

Councillor Mike Connolly, Bury Council's executive member for health and social services, said: "Our priority is to protect vulnerable people in our care. I think the council's staff have acted quickly and effectively in this case."