A MAN described as having no sense of danger was left alone in his front garden for at least 40 minutes, a court heard.

Carer Christopher Antony Trigwell, 26, of Much Birch, admitted wilful neglect at Hereford magistrates court.

Lesley Ashton, prosecuting, said the man needed monitoring every 10 minutes because of learning disabilities.

She said: “The victim’s mother said he was not capable of looking after himself. She wonders what would have happened had something caught his attention.”

Mrs Ashton said that the case came to light when Trigwell’s supervisor decided to pay a visit.

“He wanted to make sure the victim remembered to get something for his mother’s birthday,” said Mrs Ashton.

“The supervisor would often pop into the house and see how he was.

On arrival the victim was sat in his chair in the front garden wearing his pyjamas. Knowing that he should have been checked every 10 minutes, he purposely spoke to the victim for between 10 and 12 minutes to see if Trigwell realised.”

The defendant appeared from an upstairs bedroom after hearing his supervisor come into the house following this period.

Mrs Ashton added: “Trigwell was asked what he was doing and couldn’t answer.

“He said he had a problem with his mum that needed sorting out and that his victim was in the kitchen having his breakfast.”

Mrs Ashton said that police believe, from looking at computer and text messages from Trigwell’s phone, that the man was left alone from 11.23am to 1.17pm on May 13, 2015.

Matthew Lewis, mitigating, argued that there was a discrepancy in the level of support the victim needed.

He said: “His support plan suggests he shouldn’t be left for long periods without being definite. The suggestion that the victim needed constant supervision is not the case.

“All he needs is someone able to support if requested.”

“The defendant accepts he doesn’t comply with those requirements and the reason for that is he became distressed by a message sent to him from a family friend.

“On interview Trigwell said the likely time had had been upstairs was 40 minutes.”

Magistrates adjourned the case for a newton hearing – to decide how long the victim was left alone – before sentencing.