A 24-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with an alleged assault on a profoundly disabled man at a respite home.

Dorset police and Poole social services are investigating claims that three of Jamie McManus's toenails and a fingernail were ripped out during a weekend stay at the centre.

A police spokesman confirmed yesterday that a Bournemouth woman had been quizzed in connection with the allegation and released on bail pending further inquiries.

The Daily Echo revealed earlier this month how an investigation had been launched after 30-year-old Jamie's distraught family claimed he had come home injured from respite care.

Jamie, who has Down's syndrome and is unable to speak or use sign language, lives with his parents Eric and Valerie in Parkstone, but spends a couple of days in respite every few weeks to give the couple a break.

Mrs McManus said: "When he came home we noticed his eye was badly bloodshot and his left little fingernail was missing.

"He looked disorientated and was having to hang on to the wall for balance." When she and her husband checked their son's feet they were horrified to find further injuries. "He must have been in agony," his mother said.

Mrs McManus, who gave a statement to the police, said: "I entrusted him to people I thought would watch over him just for a couple of days. How can we trust again?"

Poole CID are investigating the allegation, which has led to an agency worker being barred from the care section. The home involved has confirmed that a member of staff, on duty at the time, will not be working while the investigation takes place.

A police spokesman urged anyone with information about the alleged assault to phone 01202 22222 and leave a message for Detective Sergeant Joan Carmichael.

First published: May 21