CARE home staff covered up a 95-year-old dementia patient's fall and blamed her mouth injuries on her false teeth after she was left alone in her room, a court heard.

Simona Petcu, 24, and Maria Stoian, 37, "panicked" after finding the elderly woman on the floor at Weston Park Care Home, Macclesfield, in November last year.

Stockport magistrates was told the workers picked the patient up and put in her bed before calling for a nurse, the Manchester Evening News reports.

When questioned about the cuts to her mouth they blamed it on her dentures falling out, but it was only when bruising appeared on her face that their lies were exposed.

An ambulance was called and she was taken to hospital seven hours after the fall, where doctors found further bruising to her body.

Petcu, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, and Stoian, now of Eastbourne, East Sussex, were given 12-month conditional discharges after admitting ill-treatment or wilful neglect.

Andrew Downie, defending Stoian, said the pair were "overworked" and a month later the home was branded "inadequate" and put in special measures following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Mr Downie said: “They were given responsibility for washing, changing, dressing and making good 15 residents in two hours.

“This is a heavy responsibility if any personal time has to be given, which is often the case.”

In sentencing, chairman of the bench Joe Bangadu, said: “That is a lot, we understand it can be difficult to give your full care to an individual if you have this amount.

“It makes your job very difficult, it is an onerous task.”

He added: “What was found seven and a half hours later could have been more serious, a life could have been lost.”

Petcu, the more experienced worker, was said to have suggested the cover up however both defendants, originally from Romania, lost their jobs.

Stoian, who needed a translator, now works as a cleaner while Petcu is about to qualify as a personal trainer.

Prosecuting, Ashley Seetal said: “Both were responsible for looking after her. The defendants have said they panicked.”

Defending Petcu, Nikki Mundy said: “It was a job she got considerable satisfaction from. She is an ambitious young lady who is dedicated to having a future here in the UK.”

Both women were ordered to pay £85 costs.

Weston Park is now graded as "requires improvement" following a CQC inspection in March.

The home is yet to respond to a request for comment.