Evidence excluded in SA carer bashing case

Evidence from a woman allegedly punched at a nursing home will be excluded from the Adelaide Magistrates Court trial of the accused aged care worker.

Michael Mullen was charged with aggravated assault causing harm over allegations he repeatedly punched 72-year-old Elizabeth Hannaford in November 2015.

Ms Hannaford died several months after the incident at Southern Cross Care's Lourdes Valley Residential Care Centre.

Magistrate Paul Foley on Monday ruled her evidence inadmissible because of doubts over her competency at the time.

He said she had recently been diagnosed with dementia and significant depression "because of her circumstances".

But Mr Foley said the evidence of Ms Hannaford's roommate, Meg Rogers, who had also died, would be allowed.

"In this part of the case the loss of the opportunity to cross-examine Ms Rogers in my view does not render the trial so unfair as to warrant exclusion," he said.

Mr Foley said Ms Rogers had been asked to tell her story three times before she died.

The court had previously heard Mullen, a carer at the facility, was working the night shift when the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning.

Sensor mats placed on either side of Ms Hannaford's bed would alert staff if she fell out, or if the mat's cord had been unplugged.

Prosecutors said Mullen had become frustrated after Ms Hannaford pulled the cord several times.

Ms Hannaford was left with significant bruising and swelling to her face.

The case will return to court in December.